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justificación

hoos-tee-fee-kah-syohnxustifikaˈsjon

“justificación” means “justification” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

justification

Also: excuse, rationale
NounfB1
A child pointing at a half-eaten cookie while gesturing toward a hungry-looking dog.

📝 In Action

No hay ninguna justificación para llegar tan tarde.

A2

There is no justification for arriving so late.

El jefe pidió una justificación por los gastos del viaje.

B1

The boss asked for a justification for the travel expenses.

Su comportamiento carece de justificación moral.

C1

His behavior lacks moral justification.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • explicación (explanation)
  • motivo (motive/reason)

Antonyms

  • agravio (offense/wrong)
  • sinrazón (injustice/wrongness)

Common Collocations

  • encontrar una justificación – to find a justification
  • sin justificación – without justification
  • justificación económica – economic justification

proof

Also: documentation, voucher
NounfB2formal
A hand holding a paper with a large official gold wax seal on it.

📝 In Action

Necesito una justificación médica para faltar al trabajo.

B1

I need a medical note (proof) to miss work.

Adjunte la justificación del pago al correo electrónico.

B2

Attach the proof of payment to the email.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • comprobante (receipt/voucher)
  • prueba (proof)

Common Collocations

  • justificación médica – medical note/excuse
  • presentar una justificación – to submit proof/documentation

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: justificación

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct way to say 'the justification'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
justificar(to justify) — Verb
justo(just/fair) — Adjective
injustificado(unjustified) — Adjective
justificable(justifiable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
naciónacciónestación
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'iustificatio', which combines 'iustus' (just/upright) and 'facere' (to make or do). It literally means 'to make something right or just'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: justificationFrench: justificationItalian: giustificazione

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'justificación' only mean a reason, or can it be a physical object?

It can be both! It can be an abstract reason (He had no justification) or a physical document like a receipt or a medical note used as proof.

Is it different from 'excusa'?

'Justificación' is usually more formal and implies a valid, logical reason. 'Excusa' can sometimes imply that the reason is a bit weak or made-up.

Why does it have an accent mark?

In Spanish, words ending in 'n' that are stressed on the last syllable must have an accent mark. Without it, you would mispronounce it!