합리화
The act of making something seem logical or consistent with reason, often used to describe justifying one's questionable behavior with plausible excuses.
Examples
3 of 5범죄자는 자신의 행동을 사회 탓으로 합리화한다.
Criminals rationalize their actions by blaming society.
지나친 소비를 필요에 의한 것으로 합리화하지 마세요.
Do not rationalize excessive spending as a necessity.
기업은 구조 조정을 경영 효율화로 합리화했다.
The company rationalized restructuring as management efficiency.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Hap (Join/Fit) + Ri (Reason) + Hwa (Change) = Making it fit the reason.
Quick Quiz
잘못을 인정하지 않고 ( )만 하는 태도는 좋지 않다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 합리화
Examples
범죄자는 자신의 행동을 사회 탓으로 합리화한다.
academicCriminals rationalize their actions by blaming society.
지나친 소비를 필요에 의한 것으로 합리화하지 마세요.
formalDo not rationalize excessive spending as a necessity.
기업은 구조 조정을 경영 효율화로 합리화했다.
businessThe company rationalized restructuring as management efficiency.
나는 다이어트 중에 초콜릿을 먹은 걸 합리화했어.
informalI rationalized eating chocolate while on a diet.
사람들은 종종 자신의 편견을 합리화하곤 한다.
everydayPeople often rationalize their biases.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
합리화를 꾀하다
to seek rationalization
합리화에 급급하다
to be busy rationalizing
합리화의 도구
a tool for rationalization
Often Confused With
이해 is understanding, while 합리화 is making an excuse to seem logical.
Usage Notes
Often used in IELTS essays about ethics, psychology, or consumer behavior.
Common Mistakes
In business, it can mean 'streamlining', but in general contexts, it often carries a negative nuance of making excuses.
Memory Tip
Hap (Join/Fit) + Ri (Reason) + Hwa (Change) = Making it fit the reason.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean: 'Hap' (to join), 'Ri' (reason), 'Hwa' (becoming).
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
잘못을 인정하지 않고 ( )만 하는 태도는 좋지 않다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 합리화
Related Vocabulary
More psychology words
소속감
B1The feeling of being part of a group or organization; a sense of belonging.
성급하다
B1To be hasty, rash, or impatient. Doing something too quickly without enough thought or preparation.
성공
B1The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit.
상실
B1The act of losing something that one used to have, such as a right, quality, or person.
지각하다
B1To perceive or become aware of something through the senses or the mind.
상기하다
B1To recall or bring something back to one's mind, or to remind someone of something.
심리
B1The mental state, emotions, or processes of a person or group. It often refers to the study of the human mind.
탄력성
B1The ability of an object to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed; or the ability of a person or system to recover quickly from difficulties.
공감대
B1A shared feeling, consensus, or common ground among a group of people.
성숙
B1The state of being fully grown or developed, either physically or mentally. It can also describe a society or industry that has reached a stable and advanced stage.
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