berechtigen

Meaning (in English)

berechtigen means to authorize, to entitle, or to give someone the right to do something or to receive something.

Common patterns:

• jemanden zu etwas berechtigen = to entitle/authorize someone to do something
  • Das Ticket berechtigt zur Nutzung des Nahverkehrs. = The ticket entitles you to use local public transport.
• zu etwas berechtigt sein = to be entitled/authorized to something
  • Er ist dazu berechtigt. = He is authorized/entitled to do that.

Parts / Word structure

• be- (prefix that often turns something into an action affecting an object)
• recht = “right” (as in a legal/moral right)
• -igen (verb-forming suffix meaning “to make” or “to cause to be”)

So the core idea is: to “make (someone) righted” in the sense of granting a right.

German synonyms

Depending on context:

• ermächtigen (to empower/authorize)
• autorisieren (to authorize; more formal/administrative)
• das Recht geben (to give the right)
• legitimieren (to legitimize; closer to “justify/validate” in some contexts)
• zulassen (to permit/allow; less about a formal right)

German antonyms (if applicable)

• entziehen (to withdraw, take away a right/permission)
• aberkennen (to revoke/deny formally)
• verbieten (to forbid)
• untersagen (to prohibit; formal)