Translation guide
The English verb 'justify' covers several related ideas: giving reasons for an action, proving something is right or reasonable, and aligning text. This guide helps learners choose natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To provide a reason or explanation for something you did, often to defend it or make it seem acceptable.
Commonly used when someone makes an excuse or tries to justify their actions, often with a negative nuance of making excuses.
彼は遅刻の言い訳をした。
He justified his lateness.
A more formal term meaning to justify or rationalize an action, often used in serious contexts like ethics or law.
彼は自分の行動を正当化しようとした。
He tried to justify his actions.
Means to explain oneself or plead one's case, often in a defensive manner. Less common in everyday speech.
彼は自分の失敗を弁解した。
He justified his mistake.
To show that a decision, belief, or action is correct based on facts, logic, or principles.
The standard term for justifying something as right or valid, used in both formal and everyday contexts.
その結果が彼の努力を正当化した。
The results justified his efforts.
Literally 'to show grounds/evidence', used when you provide a basis or rationale for something.
彼は自分の意見の根拠を示した。
He justified his opinion.
Means to support or corroborate, often used when evidence backs up a claim.
In word processing or design, to adjust text so that lines are even on both left and right margins.
The standard term for text justification in software and design.
この段落を両端揃えにしてください。
Please justify this paragraph.
Loanword from English, used in some technical contexts, but less common than the native term.
テキストをジャスティファイする。
Justify the text.
When 'justify' means making excuses, using 正当化する can sound too formal or defensive. 言い訳をする is more natural for everyday excuses.
言い訳しないで。
Don't try to justify it.
データが彼の仮説を裏付けた。
The data justified his hypothesis.