Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'rationalization' in Japanese, covering psychological self-justification, logical explanation, and systemic efficiency improvement.
Making excuses or justifying one's own behavior or feelings with seemingly logical reasons, often unconsciously.
The standard term for psychological rationalization, directly borrowed from English. Used in psychology and everyday conversation.
彼は自分の失敗を合理化しようとした。
He tried to rationalize his failure.
Literally 'to make an excuse'. More colloquial and direct than 合理化, implying a less sophisticated justification.
遅刻の言い訳をするのはやめなさい。
Stop making excuses for being late.
Self-justification. A more formal or academic term, often used in psychology or sociology contexts.
それは単なる自己正当化に過ぎない。
That's nothing more than self-justification.
Providing a rational account or logical basis for something, without the negative connotation of excuse-making.
A rational explanation. Neutral and widely used in business, science, and everyday contexts.
その現象には合理的説明が必要だ。
That phenomenon requires a rational explanation.
Logical grounds or basis. Often used in formal arguments or debates.
彼の主張には論理的根拠がない。
His claim lacks logical grounds.
Streamlining processes, reducing waste, or making systems more efficient, often in a corporate or industrial context.
Also used for business rationalization, such as streamlining operations or laying off workers. Context distinguishes it from the psychological sense.
会社は経営の合理化を進めている。
The company is promoting management rationalization.
Making more efficient. Emphasizes efficiency rather than the broader concept of rationalization. Common in business and technology.
Labor-saving rationalization. Specifically refers to reducing manpower or effort, often through automation.
業務の効率化を図る。
We aim to improve operational efficiency.
工場では省力化が進んでいる。
Labor-saving measures are advancing in the factory.