how to say “to justify” in Hebrew
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להצדיק-1.m4a” /]לְהַצְדִּיק
If you’ve ever been to a synagogue, you’re sure to know the word for charity – צדקה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להצדיק-2.m4a” /]. This word comes from the root צ.ד.ק[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להצדיק-3.m4a” /] meaning justice: someone who gives charity is doing an act of justice.
To justify – to cause justice, so to speak – is the active-causative verb להצדיק.
For example:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להצדיק-4.m4a” /]אל תנסה להצדיק את עצמך, תודה בכך שטעית!
Don’t try to justify yourself – admit that you made a mistake! (spoken to a male)
