German Conversation · Level 33
91 words
German word
legitim
Pronunciation
IPA/legiˈtiːm/
Meaning
- adjectivelegitimate
Example
Er verteidigte sein legitimes Recht.
He defended his legitimate right.
More examples
Die Betroffenen äußerten legitime Sorgen.
Those affected expressed legitimate concerns.
Core concept
An action or demand stands inside the boundaries that make it acceptable rather than improper or arbitrary.
Common phrases
legitimer Anspruch
legitimate claim
legitime Sorge
legitimate concern
Similar words
legal: Permitted by law and not legally forbidden.
rechtmäßig: Conforming to the law or applicable regulations.
zulässig: Permitted by a rule, agreement, or official authorization.
berechtigt: Justified by an entitlement or a valid reason.
Definition in German
als gerechtfertigt oder berechtigt angesehen, besonders wenn Handlungen oder Ansprüche durch Regeln oder Gründe gedeckt sind
Word origin
Legitim continues the Latin adjective legitimus, whose basic sense was lawful; its modern German meaning extends that idea to justified claims and conduct.
Usage tips
- The related noun is die Legitimität, while the verb legitimieren means to authorize or validate something rather than simply to call it legal.
Other meanings
- lawfuladjective
Opposites
- illegitimillegitimateadjective
- unberechtigtunfoundedadjective
Related words
- Legitimitätlegitimacynoun
- legitimierenlegitimizeverb