begründen
Translation
to justify, to found, to establish, to substantiate
Examples
Sie begründeten die Firma im Jahr 1990.
They founded the company in 1990.
Er muss seine Entscheidung gut begründen.
He must justify his decision well.
Das ist ein begründeter Verdacht.
That is a well-founded suspicion.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) ((mit+3)) to justify (sth.) with (sth.) He justifies his absence with an illness.
((et4)) to found/establish (sth.) They founded a new foundation.
Similar Words
Synonyms: rechtfertigen (to justify), erklären (to explain); Antonyms: widerlegen (to refute)
Etymology
From the prefix 'be-' (making a verb transitive) + 'Grund' (ground, reason). Literally 'to provide a ground/reason for'.
Memory Tips
Think of laying the 'Grund' (groundwork or reason) for an argument or a company.