German word

Absicht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapzɪçt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounintention

Example

Ich habe die Absicht, dir zu helfen.

I intend to help you.

Illustration for Absicht (intention)

More examples

Er hat das Glas mit Absicht zerbrochen.

He broke the glass on purpose.

Core concept

A clear plan held in mind that points toward a chosen action.

Common phrases

  • mit Absicht

    on purpose

  • ohne Absicht

    unintentionally

  • eine Absicht haben

    have an intention

Similar words

Vorhaben: A specific project planned for future action.
Plan: An ordered set of steps for achieving a desired result.
Zweck: The intended purpose of an action or thing.
Ziel: A final goal pursued through effort.

Definition in German

Absicht ist das bewusste Vorhaben, etwas zu tun.

Word origin

Absicht is formed from German ab- and Sicht, the noun related to sehen; an earlier sense of directed view developed into the modern sense of intention.

Usage tips

  • Absicht is feminine, and the common pattern is die Absicht haben, etwas zu tun, with zu before the infinitive.

Other meanings

  • purposenoun
  • intentnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • absichtlichintentionaladjective
  • absichtslosunintentionaladjective

Word lists with this word