German Conversation · Level 59
75 words
German word
Vorsatz
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌzats/
Meaning
- masculine nounresolution
Example
Mein Vorsatz für das neue Jahr ist, gesünder zu leben.
My New Year's resolution is to live a healthier life.
More examples
Er zog seinen Vorsatz durch und trainierte jeden Morgen.
He followed through on his resolution and exercised every morning.
Core concept
A firm choice set in front of one's future actions, whether a goal to follow or an intention behind an act.
Common phrases
Neujahrsvorsatz
New Year's resolution
einen Vorsatz fassen
make a resolution
seinen Vorsatz durchziehen
follow through on one's resolution
Similar words
Absicht: A clear intention to do something.
Vorhaben: A specific project or goal one plans to undertake.
Entschluss: A firm decision about what to do.
Plan: A concrete method or sequence of steps for achieving a goal.
Definition in German
Absicht oder fester Entschluss; Verwendung für persönliche Vorsätze wie Neujahrsvorsatz und als juristischer Begriff für vorsätzliches Handeln
Word origin
The noun comes from Middle High German vorsaz and combines vor, 'before', with the noun Satz, linking prior placement with a settled intention.
Usage tips
- In legal contexts, mit Vorsatz means 'intentionally' or 'deliberately', not merely 'with a resolution'.
Other meanings
- intentnoun
Opposites
- Unentschlossenheitindecisivenessnoun
- Zögerlichkeithesitancynoun
Related words
- NeujahrsvorsatzNew Year's resolutionnoun
- vorsätzlichdeliberateadjective