Õigustama

Õigustama is an Estonian verb with several related meanings. It primarily means to justify or warrant a claim, action, or position. In legal or formal contexts it can also mean to confer a right or authorization, i.e., to entitle someone to something or to legitimize a course of action.

Usage is transitive. In argumentation, it is used with a direct object: ta õigustab oma seisukohta (he justifies his position). In administrative or legal language it appears in phrases about justification of measures or the granting of rights: seadus õigustab selle meetme rakendamist (the law justifies the implementation of this measure). In later construction it may be used with nouns like õigused or õigustus to express entitlement or justification.

Nuances and related terms. The more common everyday verb for “to justify” is õigustada, while õigustama carries a somewhat more formal or technical tone and is often found in legal or institutional texts. Related forms include the noun tõlgitud as õigus (right, law), õiguslik (legal), and õigusustus or õigusustus (entitlement or authorization). The adjective or passive forms include õigustatud (justified, legitimate).

Etymology and morphology. The verb is derived from the noun õigus (right, law) with the derivational suffix -ustama, forming a causative/denoting act related to rights, justification, or authorization. It is treated as a regular Estonian -ama verb in conjugation, with standard tense and aspect distinctions.