German Conversation · Level 51
74 words
German word
begründen
Pronunciation
IPA/bəˈgʁʏndn̩/
Meaning
- verbjustify
Example
Ich begründe meine Antwort.
I justify my answer.
More examples
Kannst du das kurz begründen?
Can you briefly justify that?
Core concept
A speaker lays out the reasons beneath an answer so that its conclusion can be examined and defended.
Common phrases
etwas begründen
justify something
seine Meinung begründen
justify one's opinion
Similar words
rechtfertigen: Defend an action or opinion against blame, doubt, or criticism.
erklären: Make the reasons or workings of something clear in words.
argumentieren: Present reasons in order to persuade someone of a view.
belegen: Support a claim with evidence or examples.
Definition in German
Einen Standpunkt durch Darlegung von Gründen nachvollziehbar und vertretbar machen.
Word origin
Begründen is formed from Grund with the prefix be-, which creates a verb meaning to supply something with a basis or reason.
Usage tips
- Begründen normally takes the thing being supported as an accusative object, as in eine Antwort begründen or eine Entscheidung begründen.
Other meanings
- substantiateverb
Opposites
- widerlegenrefuteverb
- entkräftendisproveverb
Related words
- Begründungjustificationnoun
- begründbarjustifiableadjective