Definition

1. Verb:
   • To justify: To provide reasons or arguments to explain or defend one's actions, decisions, or mistakes, making them seem acceptable or reasonable.
   • To vindicate: To clear someone from blame or suspicion by providing a defense or proof of their innocence.
   • To defend (oneself): To argue in support of oneself or one's position, especially in response to criticism or accusation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy cố biện bạch cho hành động của mình. (He tried to justify his actions.)
  • Cô ấy không còn gì để biện bạch nữa. (She had nothing left to say in her own defense.)
  • Họ biện bạch rằng mình không hề biết gì về vụ việc. (They defended themselves by saying they knew nothing about the incident.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the justification or defense may be weak, excessive, or an attempt to evade full responsibility.
• It is frequently used in legal, formal, or serious personal contexts where one's integrity or actions are being questioned.

Variants and Related Words

• Biện minh (v): To justify, to explain. Often used interchangeably, though "biện minh" can sound slightly more formal or neutral than "biện bạch."
• Bào chữa (v): To defend, to plead (often in a legal context). This term is stronger and more specific to offering a formal defense.
• Thanh minh (v): To explain to clear up a misunderstanding, to protest one's innocence.

Synonyms

• Justify: To show or prove to be right or reasonable.
• Defend: To resist an attack; to speak or write in support of.
• Explain away: To dismiss or minimize by explanation, often used when the explanation seems like an excuse.

Related Idioms

• While "biện bạch" itself is not commonly part of a fixed idiom, the act is central to phrases like:
  • Biện bạch cho mình: To defend/justify oneself.
  • Lời biện bạch: A justification, an excuse, a defense statement.

verb

1. To justify, to vindicate, to defend
   • biện bạch cho khuyết điểm mình
     to justify one's mistakes