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justificable

B1 adjective 9 min read

justificable

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips justificable in 30 Seconds

Explanation justificable in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe things. The word 'justificable' might seem a bit long and difficult, but it is actually very easy because it looks almost exactly like the English word 'justifiable'. In Spanish, we use it to say that something is 'okay' because there is a good reason for it. For example, if you are late for class because the bus was late, that is a 'justificable' reason. You don't need to use this word often at A1, but recognizing it will help you understand more complex sentences. Think of it as a fancy way of saying 'it's okay because...' Use it with the verb 'es' (it is). For example: 'Es justificable' (It is justifiable). You can use it to talk about simple things like being late, a small mistake, or a price. It is a gender-neutral word, so it doesn't matter if you are talking about a boy, a girl, or an object—it's always 'justificable'. Just remember to say the 'j' like an 'h' sound in English, like 'hoo-stee-fee-CAH-bleh'. If you can remember this word, you will sound very smart even as a beginner!

At the A2 level, you are beginning to give reasons for your actions and opinions. 'Justificable' is a great word to use when you want to explain why something happened. It is an adjective that means 'defensible' or 'reasonable'. At this level, you should practice using it with nouns. For example, 'una razón justificable' (a justifiable reason) or 'un error justificable' (a justifiable error). Notice that the word ends in 'e', so it doesn't change for masculine or feminine nouns. If you have more than one thing, you just add an 's': 'razones justificables'. You might use this word when talking to a boss, a teacher, or a friend when you are explaining a situation. Instead of just saying 'Lo siento' (I'm sorry), you can say 'Fue un error justificable' to explain that anyone would have made the same mistake. It's also common to use it in the negative: 'No es justificable'. This is a strong way to say that someone has no good reason for what they did. Learning this word helps you move away from simple 'good/bad' descriptions and start using more adult, logical language.

At the B1 level, you are expected to express your thoughts and opinions on more abstract topics. 'Justificable' becomes very useful here. It is no longer just about being late for a bus; it's about whether a decision, a law, or a feeling is right or wrong based on logic. You will often use it in the 'Ser + Adjective' structure: '¿Crees que mentir es justificable en algunas situaciones?' (Do you think lying is justifiable in some situations?). At this level, you should also start pairing it with adverbs. For example, 'perfectamente justificable' (perfectly justifiable) or 'difícilmente justificable' (hardly justifiable). This adds nuance to your speaking. You will hear this word in news reports or read it in articles about social issues. It is a key part of building an argument. You should also be aware of the difference between 'justificable' and 'justificado'. While 'justificado' means something *has been* proven right, 'justificable' means it *can be* proven right. Understanding this distinction is a sign of a strong B1 learner. Practice using it to discuss ethical dilemmas, such as whether it's justifiable to break a rule to help a friend.

At the B2 level, you are moving toward fluency and should be able to use 'justificable' in professional and academic contexts. You will encounter this word in complex texts about law, politics, and ethics. At this level, you should be comfortable using it to evaluate the validity of arguments. For example, 'La inversión es justificable desde el punto de vista económico, pero no desde el social' (The investment is justifiable from an economic point of view, but not from a social one). You should also learn common collocations like 'duda justificable' (justifiable doubt) or 'gasto justificable' (justifiable expense). At B2, you are expected to handle the plural forms and gender neutrality without thinking twice. You should also be able to use the antonym 'injustificable' to express strong disagreement or moral outrage. For instance, 'Su actitud hacia los empleados es totalmente injustificable'. This word helps you engage in debates where you need to weigh different sides of an issue. It allows you to move beyond personal feelings and discuss things in terms of objective standards and logic.

At the C1 level, your use of 'justificable' should be precise and nuanced. You should understand the subtle differences between 'justificable', 'defendible', 'legítimo', and 'razonable'. A C1 speaker knows that 'justificable' often carries a burden of proof. You might use it in a legal sense: 'El uso de la fuerza fue considerado legalmente justificable por el tribunal'. Or in a philosophical sense: '¿Es justificable el sacrificio del individuo por el bien de la mayoría?'. You should also be able to use it with a wide range of sophisticated adverbs like 'ontológicamente', 'éticamente', or 'empíricamente'. At this level, you should also be aware of how the word functions in different registers. In a formal speech, it sounds authoritative; in a cynical conversation, it can sound like someone is making excuses. You should be able to identify these tones. Your writing should use 'justificable' to create logical flow, using it to transition between an action and its validation. You should also be able to discuss the etymology of the word and how its Latin roots influence its modern meaning in various Romance languages.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'justificable'. You use it with the same ease as a native speaker, often in highly specialized fields. In a legal context, you might discuss 'causas justificables' in a contract. In a scientific paper, you might explain why a certain margin of error is 'justificable' given the limitations of the technology. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in Spanish rhetoric. You can use it in highly abstract or ironical ways. For example, you might use it to critique a complex social structure: 'La desigualdad se vuelve justificable a través de una narrativa de meritocracia'. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are playing with its implications. You can use it to deconstruct arguments, showing where something is *not* justifiable despite appearing to be so. Your usage is flawless, and you can switch between the adjective and its related forms (justificar, justificación, justificadamente) with total flexibility. You also understand how the word is used in literature to explore the moral ambiguity of characters who do bad things for 'justifiable' reasons.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

justificable in 30 Seconds

Justificable means something can be defended with logic or reasons.
It is a gender-neutral adjective used for both masculine and feminine nouns.
Commonly used in formal, legal, and academic Spanish contexts.
The antonym is 'injustificable', used for things that have no good reason.

The Spanish word justificable is an adjective that mirrors its English cognate, "justifiable." At its core, it describes something—an action, a decision, an emotion, or a cost—that can be defended or shown to be right, reasonable, or necessary under specific circumstances. It is derived from the verb justificar (to justify) and the suffix -able (indicating capability or worthiness). In the Spanish-speaking world, this word carries a weight of logic and ethics. It is not merely about something being 'okay'; it is about something being 'explainable through reason or justice.'

Etymological Root: The word comes from the Latin 'iustificabilis'. The 'just-' part relates to 'jus' or 'juris' (law/right), and 'ficare' comes from 'facere' (to make). Thus, to make something right.
Moral vs. Logical Usage: In moral contexts, it refers to whether an act is ethical (e.g., self-defense). In logical contexts, it refers to whether a conclusion is supported by data.
Grammatical Gender: As an adjective ending in '-e', it is gender-neutral. It stays 'justificable' whether you are describing 'un acto' (masculine) or 'una razón' (feminine).

You will encounter justificable most frequently in formal debates, legal proceedings, academic writing, and serious interpersonal discussions. For example, if a student misses an exam, the teacher might ask if the absence is justificable by a medical note. If a government increases taxes, they must provide a justificable reason to the public. It moves beyond the simple 'bueno' (good) or 'malo' (bad) and enters the realm of 'defensible'.

La violencia nunca es una respuesta justificable en una democracia moderna.

In casual conversation, it is used slightly less than in English, as Spanish speakers might favor the verb form ("No se puede justificar") or simpler adjectives like "razonable." However, using justificable correctly instantly elevates your Spanish, marking you as a speaker who understands the nuances of accountability and logic. It is a key term for anyone working in law, medicine, or management in a Spanish-speaking environment.

Su miedo era perfectamente justificable dada la situación de peligro.

¿Es el gasto de la empresa justificable ante los accionistas?

El retraso en la entrega no es justificable bajo ninguna circunstancia.

Buscamos una solución que sea ética y legalmente justificable.

To truly master this word, think about the "burden of proof." If you have to prove why you did something, you are looking for a justificación. If you find one that others accept, your action was justificable. It is the bridge between a raw action and its social or legal acceptance.

Using justificable in a sentence follows the standard rules for Spanish adjectives, but because it is often used in complex arguments, there are specific patterns you should master. Most commonly, it follows the verb ser (to be) to establish a state of being or a quality of an action.

The 'Ser' Construction: [Subject] + ser + justificable. (Example: 'El error es justificable' - The error is justifiable.)
Adverbial Modification: It is frequently paired with adverbs like 'difícilmente' (hardly), 'plenamente' (fully), or 'éticamente' (ethically). (Example: 'Es difícilmente justificable.')
Negative Forms: Adding 'no' before the verb is the standard way to negate it, but you can also use the antonym 'injustificable'.

When constructing sentences, remember that justificable modifies the noun it refers to. Since it ends in an 'e', it does not change for masculine or feminine nouns. However, it does change for number: justificables for plural nouns. For instance, 'razones justificables' (justifiable reasons).

Consideramos que su comportamiento fue justificable dadas las circunstancias extremas.

In more advanced structures, justificable often introduces a clause explaining *why* something is justifiable, usually using 'por' or 'debido a'. Unlike some adjectives that can go before the noun for poetic effect, justificable almost always follows the noun because it is a restrictive adjective—it defines a specific logical category of the noun.

¿Es justificable mentir para proteger los sentimientos de alguien?

No hay ninguna duda justificable sobre la validez de los resultados.

Sus acciones son justificables desde un punto de vista puramente técnico.

Finally, notice the prepositional use. You might say something is justifiable "ante la ley" (before the law) or "ante mis ojos" (in my eyes). This helps specify the framework of the justification.

If you are listening to a Spanish news broadcast, a political debate, or a courtroom drama, you will hear justificable frequently. It is a staple of 'official' language. For instance, a news anchor might say, "El aumento del precio de la gasolina es, según el gobierno, justificable por la crisis internacional." This usage frames the topic in a way that invites logical scrutiny.

In the Workplace: Used during performance reviews or project post-mortems. 'El retraso es justificable debido a la falta de personal.'
In Legal Settings: Attorneys argue whether an act of self-defense was 'justificable' under the penal code.
In Academic Essays: Scholars use it to validate their hypotheses or methodology.

In daily life, you might hear it when people are defending their personal choices to friends or family. If someone buys an expensive car they can't afford, a friend might ask, "¿Cómo es eso justificable con tu salario actual?" Here, it takes on a slightly more critical or questioning tone. It challenges the person to provide a reason for their behavior.

Escuché en el podcast que la decisión del director no era justificable.

Another common place to hear it is in medical or psychological contexts. A doctor might explain that a certain level of anxiety is justificable after a traumatic event. In this sense, it means 'expected' or 'normal' given the context. It serves to validate the patient's feelings by rooting them in a logical cause-and-effect relationship.

El juez dictaminó que el uso de la fuerza fue justificable en ese caso.

Para muchos analistas, la guerra no es justificable bajo ningún concepto.

Lastly, look for it in product reviews or consumer reports. Is the high price of a new iPhone justificable by its new features? This is a very common way the word is used in modern, tech-focused media.

Even for intermediate speakers, justificable can be tricky. The most common mistake is a 'false friend' confusion with the word 'justificado'. While they are related, they are not identical. Justificado is the past participle (meaning something *has been* justified), whereas justificable means something *can be* justified.

Justificable vs. Justificado: 'Su ausencia está justificada' (She has a note). 'Su ausencia es justificable' (She could probably find a reason if she tried).
Spelling Errors: English speakers often try to spell it with an 'i' at the end like 'justifi-able'. Remember the Spanish suffix is '-able' (a-b-l-e).
Preposition Confusion: Using 'con' instead of 'por'. While sometimes acceptable, 'justificable por' is the standard way to indicate the cause.

Another mistake is overusing the word in informal contexts where a simpler word would suffice. If you say a sandwich being expensive is 'no justificable', it might sound a bit too dramatic or legalistic. In that case, 'caro sin razón' or 'un robo' might be more natural. Use justificable when you want to sound objective and serious.

Incorrecto: El precio es justificabel.
Correcto: El precio es justificable.

Wait for the distinction between 'justificable' and 'excusable'. Excusable implies that something was wrong but we can forgive it. Justificable implies that something might not have been wrong at all because there was a good reason for it. Mixing these up can change the moral weight of your sentence significantly.

Incorrecto: Tus acciones están justificables.
Correcto: Tus acciones son justificables.

Finally, ensure you pluralize the adjective. Many learners forget to add the '-s' when the noun is plural, saying 'razones justificable' instead of 'razones justificables'. This is a minor but noticeable error in formal writing.

To expand your vocabulary beyond justificable, it is helpful to look at synonyms that carry slightly different shades of meaning. Depending on the context—whether it's legal, emotional, or logical—you might want to choose a different word to be more precise.

Defendible (Defensible): Very similar, but implies that the position can be protected in an argument or battle of ideas. 'Es una postura defendible'.
Razonable (Reasonable): Lighter and more common in daily speech. It suggests common sense rather than strict formal justification.
Legítimo (Legitimate): Stronger and often implies legal or official backing. 'Un reclamo legítimo'.
Admisible (Admissible): Often used in technical or legal contexts to mean something is allowed or can be accepted into consideration.

When comparing justificable to comprensible (understandable), the difference is one of empathy vs. logic. If a friend is late because they were sad, it is comprensible. If they were late because their car broke down, it is justificable. One appeals to the heart, the other to the facts.

Aunque su enfado es comprensible, su reacción violenta no es justificable.

In academic writing, you might see the term sustentable or sostenible used in a similar way, meaning a theory that can be sustained or supported by evidence. However, justificable remains the best word for actions and decisions that require a moral or logical defense.

Es lógico pensar así, pero no es justificable actuar así.

By understanding these nuances, you can choose the word that fits your exact intent. Whether you are being lenient (comprensible), logical (justificable), or strictly legal (legítimo), your Spanish will sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'jus' is the same root found in 'jury', 'judge', and 'justice'. All these words are cousins in the family of law and order.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌdʒʌstɪˈfaɪəbl/

US /ˌdʒʌstəˈfaɪəbl/

The stress in Spanish is on the penultimate syllable: jus-ti-fi-CA-ble.

Rhymes With

amable favorable vulnerable improbable notable variable saludable incontestable

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'j' like the English 'j' in 'judge'. In Spanish, it's a raspy 'h' sound.
Pronouncing the 'ble' like 'bull' in English. In Spanish, it's a clear 'bleh' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the 'fi' syllable.
Adding an extra 'i' sound at the end like 'justifi-able'.
Treating the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'just'. In Spanish, it's 'oo'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling and pluralization.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct 'j' and 'ble' pronunciation.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but watch for speed in formal contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

justo justicia razón error ser

Learn Next

justificar justificación legítimo defendible injustificable

Advanced

jurisprudencia legitimidad argumentación atenuante

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Las razones son justificables.

Ser vs Estar

La acción es justificable (quality).

Subjunctive with doubt/negation

No creo que sea justificable.

Adverbial phrases

Es justificable desde un punto de vista moral.

Suffix -able

Comer -> Comestible, Justificar -> Justificable.

Examples by Level

Mi error es justificable.

My error is justifiable.

Subject + verb 'ser' + adjective.

Es una razón justificable.

It is a justifiable reason.

'Justificable' follows the noun 'razón'.

¿Es justificable?

Is it justifiable?

Question structure in Spanish.

No es justificable.

It is not justifiable.

Negation with 'no'.

La falta es justificable.

The absence is justifiable.

Feminine noun 'falta' with the same adjective form.

Es un precio justificable.

It is a justifiable price.

Using 'justificable' to describe cost.

Tu miedo es justificable.

Your fear is justifiable.

Describing an emotion.

El retraso es justificable.

The delay is justifiable.

Describing a situation.

Tengo una excusa justificable para hoy.

I have a justifiable excuse for today.

Adjective modifying 'excusa'.

Sus acciones no son justificables.

His actions are not justifiable.

Plural form 'justificables'.

¿Por qué crees que es justificable?

Why do you think it is justifiable?

Using 'creer que' with the adjective.

Es un gasto justificable para la familia.

It is a justifiable expense for the family.

Context of household finance.

El profesor dice que es justificable.

The teacher says it is justifiable.

Reporting what someone said.

Buscamos razones justificables.

We are looking for justifiable reasons.

Plural agreement.

Su reacción fue justificable.

His reaction was justifiable.

Past tense of 'ser'.

Para mí, es totalmente justificable.

For me, it is totally justifiable.

Adding the adverb 'totalmente'.

No creo que sea justificable mentir así.

I don't think it's justifiable to lie like that.

Subjunctive mood after 'no creo que'.

Es justificable si lo haces por una buena causa.

It is justifiable if you do it for a good cause.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Su ausencia fue justificable por motivos de salud.

His absence was justifiable for health reasons.

Using 'por' to show the cause.

La decisión me parece justificable.

The decision seems justifiable to me.

Using the verb 'parecer' instead of 'ser'.

¿Es éticamente justificable este experimento?

Is this experiment ethically justifiable?

Using the adverb 'éticamente'.

Hay una duda justificable en su testimonio.

There is a justifiable doubt in his testimony.

Common collocation 'duda justificable'.

Muchos consideran que el cambio es justificable.

Many consider that the change is justifiable.

Using 'considerar que'.

El aumento de impuestos no es justificable ahora.

The tax increase is not justifiable now.

Political context.

El uso de la fuerza solo es justificable en defensa propia.

The use of force is only justifiable in self-defense.

Restrictive use with 'solo'.

Dicha medida es difícilmente justificable en este clima económico.

Such a measure is hardly justifiable in this economic climate.

Adverb 'difícilmente' modifying the adjective.

Buscamos una base legal que sea plenamente justificable.

We are looking for a legal basis that is fully justifiable.

Subjunctive in a relative clause.

Sus críticas son justificables, pero sus formas no lo son.

His criticisms are justifiable, but his manners are not.

Contrast between content and delivery.

La demora es justificable dada la complejidad del proyecto.

The delay is justifiable given the complexity of the project.

Using 'dada la' to provide context.

¿Hasta qué punto es justificable el espionaje?

To what extent is espionage justifiable?

Questioning the degree of justification.

Es una postura justificable desde una perspectiva técnica.

It is a justifiable position from a technical perspective.

Specifying the perspective.

Nada de lo que digas hará que su violencia sea justificable.

Nothing you say will make his violence justifiable.

Complex sentence with 'hacer que' + subjunctive.

La premisa de la investigación es metodológicamente justificable.

The research premise is methodologically justifiable.

Academic register.

Se argumentó que la intervención era moralmente justificable.

It was argued that the intervention was morally justifiable.

Passive voice 'se argumentó'.

Tal desviación de la norma no es fácilmente justificable.

Such a deviation from the norm is not easily justifiable.

Formal vocabulary like 'desviación'.

Su escepticismo es justificable ante la falta de evidencias claras.

His skepticism is justifiable given the lack of clear evidence.

Using 'ante' to show causality.

La distinción entre ambos conceptos es difícilmente justificable.

The distinction between both concepts is hardly justifiable.

Abstract logical argument.

Consideramos que el riesgo asumido era plenamente justificable.

We consider that the risk taken was fully justifiable.

Past participle 'asumido' used as an adjective.

No existe una base empírica que haga justificable su teoría.

There is no empirical basis that makes his theory justifiable.

Negative existential with subjunctive.

La retórica del político hacía que lo injustificable pareciera justificable.

The politician's rhetoric made the unjustifiable seem justifiable.

Contrast between antonyms.

La ontología del ser no es justificable mediante la mera lógica formal.

The ontology of being is not justifiable through mere formal logic.

Philosophical register.

El tribunal dictaminó que la medida era proporcional y, por ende, justificable.

The court ruled that the measure was proportional and, therefore, justifiable.

Using 'por ende' (therefore).

Su proceder, aunque heterodoxo, resultaba justificable en aquel contexto bélico.

His behavior, although unorthodox, turned out to be justifiable in that wartime context.

Using 'resultaba' to show a conclusion.

La asimetría informativa hace que el contrato no sea éticamente justificable.

The information asymmetry makes the contract not ethically justifiable.

Economic/legal jargon.

Bajo una lente utilitarista, tal sacrificio podría ser considerado justificable.

Under a utilitarian lens, such a sacrifice could be considered justifiable.

Conditional 'podría ser'.

La vulneración de derechos fundamentales nunca es justificable por razones de estado.

The violation of fundamental rights is never justifiable for reasons of state.

Political philosophy context.

Se debate si la violencia estructural es una respuesta justificable a la opresión.

It is debated whether structural violence is a justifiable response to oppression.

Passive reflexive 'se debate'.

La obsolescencia programada es difícilmente justificable desde la sostenibilidad.

Planned obsolescence is hardly justifiable from a sustainability standpoint.

Environmental/industrial context.

Common Collocations

razón justificable

duda justificable

gasto justificable

ausencia justificable

riesgo justificable

error justificable

demora justificable

miedo justificable

precio justificable

uso justificable

Common Phrases

ser justificable por

— To be justifiable because of something.

Es justificable por la falta de tiempo.

difícilmente justificable

— Hardly justifiable; very difficult to defend.

Su mentira es difícilmente justificable.

perfectamente justificable

— Completely reasonable or understandable.

Es perfectamente justificable que estés cansado.

no es justificable bajo ningún concepto

— It is not justifiable under any circumstances.

La traición no es justificable bajo ningún concepto.

éticamente justificable

— Defensible from a moral standpoint.

Esa acción no es éticamente justificable.

legalmente justificable

— Defensible according to the law.

El contrato es legalmente justificable.

hasta cierto punto justificable

— Justifiable to some extent.

Su enfado es, hasta cierto punto, justificable.

plenamente justificable

— Fully justifiable.

Su éxito es plenamente justificable por su esfuerzo.

considerar justificable

— To deem something as justifiable.

El juez consideró justificable la acción.

parecer justificable

— To seem or appear justifiable.

Su actitud no me parece justificable.

Often Confused With

justificable vs justificado

Means 'already justified' (past participle) rather than 'able to be justified'.

justificable vs comprensible

Focuses on empathy/understanding rather than logical defense.

justificable vs excusable

Implies a fault that can be forgiven, rather than a right action.

Idioms & Expressions

"No tiene justificación"

— It has no justification (often used instead of 'es injustificable').

Lo que hiciste no tiene justificación.

neutral

"Buscarle tres pies al gato"

— To look for complications where there are none (often used when someone tries to find a 'justificable' reason for something obvious).

No le busques tres pies al gato, su error no es justificable.

informal

"Caer por su propio peso"

— To be self-evident (when a reason is so justificable it doesn't need much explanation).

La verdad cae por su propio peso.

neutral

"Poner excusas"

— To make excuses (often when something is NOT justificable).

Deja de poner excusas, no es justificable.

informal

"Cerrar filas"

— To close ranks (defending someone as if their actions were justificable).

El partido cerró filas ante la acusación.

formal

"Lavar la imagen"

— To clean up one's image (trying to make an action look justificable).

La empresa intenta lavar su imagen tras el escándalo.

neutral

"Dar la cara"

— To face the music/take responsibility (necessary when an act is NOT justificable).

Tienes que dar la cara por tus actos.

neutral

"Hacer de tripas corazón"

— To pluck up courage (doing something that might not seem justificable but is necessary).

Hizo de tripas corazón y aceptó el trato.

informal

"Cortar por lo sano"

— To take drastic measures (often needs a justificable reason).

Decidió cortar por lo sano y despedir al gerente.

informal

"Echar leña al fuego"

— To add fuel to the fire (making an unjustifiable situation worse).

Sus palabras solo echaron leña al fuego.

neutral

Easily Confused

justificable vs justificado

Both come from 'justificar'.

'Justificado' describes a completed state; 'justificable' describes a potential quality.

Su ausencia está justificada (he has a note). Su ausencia es justificable (he has a good reason).

justificable vs razonable

Synonyms.

'Razonable' is more common and less formal.

Es un precio razonable.

justificable vs lógico

Often used in similar contexts.

'Lógico' refers to the sequence of thought, 'justificable' to the moral/legal rightness.

Es lógico que llueva, pero no es justificable mojar a otros.

justificable vs legítimo

Both deal with rightness.

'Legítimo' implies legal or official status.

Es el heredero legítimo.

justificable vs comprensible

Both explain behavior.

'Comprensible' is about empathy, 'justificable' is about logic.

Tu enfado es comprensible.

Sentence Patterns

Es [adjective].

Es justificable.

Es un/una [noun] justificable.

Es una razón justificable.

No creo que sea justificable [verb].

No creo que sea justificable mentir.

[Subject] es justificable por [reason].

El gasto es justificable por la calidad.

Es [adverb] justificable desde [perspective].

Es moralmente justificable desde mi perspectiva.

Resulta justificable habida cuenta de [context].

Resulta justificable habida cuenta de los antecedentes.

¿Es justificable [noun]?

¿Es justificable el miedo?

Nada es justificable si [condition].

Nada es justificable si daña a otros.

Word Family

Nouns

justificación

justificante

justicia

Verbs

justificar

Adjectives

justificable

justificado

justificativo

injustificable

justiciero

ajusticiar

justo

injusto

ajustar

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing and news; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

justificabel → justificable
Learners often use the English '-able' spelling logic. In Spanish, it's always '-able'.
está justificable → es justificable
Using 'estar' instead of 'ser' for a quality/characteristic.
una razón justificabla → una razón justificable
Trying to change the ending to 'a' for a feminine noun. Adjectives in -e are neutral.
justificado vs justificable → context dependent
Confusing the past participle (result) with the adjective (potential).
razones justificable → razones justificables
Forgetting to pluralize the adjective to match the noun.

Tips

Gender Neutrality

Remember that adjectives ending in -e like 'justificable' don't change for gender. This makes your life easier!

The Root Word

Connect it to 'justicia' (justice). If you can see the 'justice' in an action, it is 'justificable'.

The 'ble' ending

Spanish 'ble' is always 'bleh', never 'bull'. Keep it crisp and short.

Formal Writing

Use this word in your Spanish essays to provide strong logical transitions.

Official Notes

In Spain, a 'justificante' is a piece of paper that makes your absence 'justificable'. It's a key part of bureaucracy.

Just-If-I-Able

Justice if I am able to explain it. Use this to remember the meaning.

Avoid 'Estar'

Always pair 'justificable' with 'ser'. Think of it as a permanent quality of that specific action.

Comprensible vs Justificable

Use 'comprensible' for feelings and 'justificable' for facts and logic.

Power it up

Add 'totalmente' before it to sound more convincing in an argument.

Injustificable

Learn the antonym at the same time to double your vocabulary impact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Justice' + 'Able'. If something is 'justificable', it is 'Able' to be 'Just'.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale (justice) with a heavy reason on one side and an action on the other, balancing perfectly.

Word Web

Justicia Ley Razón Lógica Excusa Motivo Defensa Ética

Challenge

Try to think of three things you did today that were 'justificable' and three that were 'injustificable'. Say them out loud in Spanish.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'iustificabilis', which combines 'iustificare' (to justify) and the suffix '-abilis' (capable of).

Original meaning: Capable of being shown to be just or right.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'injustificable' as it is a very strong word that can sound accusatory.

In English, we often use 'understandable' where Spanish speakers might use 'justificable' or 'comprensible'.

The concept of 'Guerra Justa' (Just War) in Spanish theology/philosophy. Legal codes in Spain and Latin America regarding 'defensa propia' (self-defense). Don Quixote's justifications for his 'mad' actions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

Ausencia justificable
Gasto justificable
Retraso justificable
Decisión justificable

Legal

Duda justificable
Uso justificable de la fuerza
Causa justificable
Acción justificable

Ethics

Éticamente justificable
Moralmente justificable
Conducta justificable
Mentira justificable

Personal Finances

Precio justificable
Inversión justificable
Compra justificable
Costo justificable

Academic

Hipótesis justificable
Método justificable
Conclusión justificable
Teoría justificable

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que mentir es justificable en alguna situación?"

"¿Es justificable el precio de los nuevos teléfonos inteligentes?"

"¿Cuándo es justificable faltar al trabajo sin avisar?"

"¿Es justificable el uso de la fuerza en defensa propia?"

"¿Qué tipo de errores consideras que son justificables en una relación?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una vez que cometiste un error que era justificable.

¿Crees que el sistema de impuestos actual es justificable? ¿Por qué?

Describe una situación en la que alguien actuó de forma injustificable.

¿Es justificable sacrificar el tiempo libre por el éxito profesional?

Reflexiona sobre si la censura en internet es justificable en algún caso.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Justificable' significa que algo *puede* ser defendido o explicado con razones. 'Justificado' significa que algo *ya* ha sido demostrado como correcto. Por ejemplo, una ausencia es 'justificable' si tienes una buena razón, y está 'justificada' si ya entregaste el documento al profesor.

Generalmente no. Se usa para acciones, decisiones, sentimientos o situaciones. No dirías 'Él es justificable', sino 'Sus acciones son justificables'.

Es neutra. Como termina en '-e', se usa igual para sustantivos masculinos ('un acto justificable') y femeninos ('una razón justificable').

El antónimo más común es 'injustificable', que significa que algo no tiene ninguna razón válida o defensa posible.

Se pronuncia como una 'h' fuerte y aspirada en inglés, similar al sonido de la palabra 'ham' pero con un poco más de fricción en la garganta.

Sí, es más común en contextos formales como el trabajo, la ley o la academia, aunque también se usa en conversaciones serias entre amigos.

No, lo correcto es usar el verbo 'ser': 'es justificable'. Esto se debe a que ser justificable es visto como una característica o cualidad de la acción, no un estado temporal.

Simplemente añade una 's' al final: 'justificables'. Por ejemplo: 'Esos motivos son justificables'.

Usa 'razonable' para cosas cotidianas como precios, peticiones o comportamientos normales. Usa 'justificable' cuando necesites sonar más serio o cuando haya una cuestión de 'justicia' o 'prueba' de por medio.

Sí, es una palabra estándar en todo el mundo hispanohablante y se entiende perfectamente en todos los países.