der
Vorsatz
🧐 What exactly is a Vorsatz?
The word der Vorsatz has several meanings that might seem different at first glance, but often share an idea of something 'placed before' or 'planned':
- Intention, resolution, plan: This is the most common meaning, famously known from New Year's resolutions ("gute Vorsätze"). It describes a firm intention or plan to do or achieve something specific. Example: Sein Vorsatz war es, mehr Sport zu treiben. (His resolution was to do more sports.)
- Intent (legal/psychological): In a legal or psychological context, Vorsatz means acting consciously and deliberately, as opposed to negligence (Fahrlässigkeit). Example: Er handelte mit Vorsatz und musste die Konsequenzen tragen. (He acted with intent and had to face the consequences.) ⚠️ Differentiating this from negligence is important here.
- Technical attachment/accessory: A Vorsatz can also be a component attached to the front of another device to extend or modify its function. Examples: ein Weitwinkel-Vorsatz für das Kameraobjektiv (a wide-angle attachment for the camera lens), ein Bohr-Vorsatz für die Bohrmaschine (a drill attachment for the drill).
- Endpaper (bookbinding): The first and last leaves (often blank or decorated) of a bound book, connecting the book block to the cover. This is called das Vorsatzpapier.
- Header/Preamble (rare): Sometimes used for a kind of introduction or header, but this meaning is less common.
The article is always der, regardless of the meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Der Vorsatz
Der Vorsatz is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Vorsatz |
| Genitive | des | Vorsatzes |
| Dative | dem | Vorsatz / Vorsatze |
| Accusative | den | Vorsatz |
Note: The dative singular can also take the ending -e (dem Vorsatze), but this is dated.
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vorsätze |
| Genitive | der | Vorsätze |
| Dative | den | Vorsätzen |
| Accusative | die | Vorsätze |
Example Sentences
- Gute Vorsätze sind leicht gefasst, aber schwer umzusetzen.
(Good resolutions are easily made, but hard to implement.) - Die Staatsanwaltschaft prüft, ob Vorsatz oder Fahrlässigkeit vorliegt.
(The prosecution is investigating whether there was intent or negligence.) - Mit diesem Tele-Vorsatz kann ich viel näher heranzoomen.
(With this telephoto attachment, I can zoom in much closer.) - Das Vorsatzpapier des alten Buches war kunstvoll gestaltet.
(The endpaper of the old book was artistically designed.)
💡 How to Use "Vorsatz"?
The usage of der Vorsatz heavily depends on the context:
- In everyday life: Most commonly encountered in the context of plans and intentions, especially "gute Vorsätze" (good resolutions, e.g., gute Vorsätze fürs neue Jahr - New Year's resolutions). You can 'make a resolution' (einen Vorsatz fassen) or 'do something intentionally' (etwas mit Vorsatz tun).
- In law: Here, Vorsatz (intent) is a key concept in criminal law. It describes the knowledge and will to realize the elements of a crime. An action done mit Vorsatz (with intent) is generally punished more severely than a negligent act (fahrlässige Handlung).
- In technology: Photographers talk about Objektiv-Vorsätze (lens attachments, e.g., macro, wide-angle). Craftsmen might use Aufsätze or Vorsätze for tools.
- In book production: Das Vorsatzpapier (endpaper) is a technical term.
Distinctions:
- Absicht vs. Vorsatz: Often used synonymously. Vorsatz often sounds firmer and more planned than a mere Absicht (intention). In the legal sense, Vorsatz is the more specific term.
- Plan vs. Vorsatz: A Plan is often more detailed and concrete than a Vorsatz, which tends to describe the fundamental decision.
- Aufsatz vs. Vorsatz (Technology): Sometimes interchangeable, but Vorsatz often emphasizes something placed *in front* of the main device (like a lens), whereas Aufsatz is more like something placed *on top* of something (like a drill bit on a drill).
🧠 Mnemonics for "Vorsatz"
Article Mnemonic: Think of a man making a resolution: Der Mann hat einen Vorsatz. The article is der.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you put a 'sentence' or 'proposition' (Satz) *before* (vor) your action – that's your Vor-Satz, your intention. Or technically, you 'set' (setzen related to Satz) something *in front* (vor) of a device – a Vor-Satz.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- For intention/plan: die Absicht (intention), der Plan (plan), der Entschluss (decision, resolution), das Vorhaben (plan, project), die Intention (intention)
- For intent (legal): die Absichtlichkeit (deliberateness), das Kalkül (calculation), die Überlegung (consideration)
- For technical part: der Aufsatz (attachment), das Anbauteil (add-on part), der Adapter (adapter) (depending on context)
- For endpaper: das Spiegelblatt (pastedown endpaper - part of it)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- For intention/plan: die Unentschlossenheit (indecision), die Planlosigkeit (lack of plan), die Spontaneität (spontaneity), der Zufall (chance, coincidence)
- For intent (legal): die Fahrlässigkeit (negligence), die Unachtsamkeit (carelessness), das Versehen (oversight, mistake)
- For technical part: (no direct opposite, perhaps the main device itself)
- For endpaper: das Nachsatzpapier (rear endpaper)
⚠️ Potential Confusion
- der Ansatz: approach, starting point, first steps (e.g., ein neuer Ansatz zur Problemlösung - a new approach to solving the problem). Not related to intention.
- der Umsatz: turnover, revenue. Purely an economic term.
- der Absatz: paragraph, shoe heel, sales volume. Many meanings, none of which is 'Vorsatz'.
😄 A Little Joke
Was ist der häufigste Neujahrs-Vorsatz von Glühbirnen?
"Ich werde dieses Jahr nicht so schnell durchbrennen!"
Translation:
What's the most common New Year's resolution for light bulbs?
"This year, I won't burn out so quickly!"
📜 A Little Poem
Der Vorsatz, stark und klar,
eginnt oft im Januar.
Mehr Sport, gesünder leben,
Ein höh'res Ziel anstreben.
Doch schleicht der Alltag ein,
Wird mancher Vorsatz klein.
Doch zählt der Wille sehr,
Versuch's aufs Neue, bitte sehr!
Translation:
The resolution, strong and clear,
Often starts in January dear.
More sports, a healthier life,
Striving for a higher goal, less strife.
But daily routine creeps near,
Making resolutions disappear.
Yet the will counts a lot,
Try again anew, give it a shot!
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich kann ein Plan im Kopf dir sein,
auch ein Gerät, ganz vorn und klein.
Im Buch verbind' ich Blatt und Deckel fein.
Vor Gericht wieg' ich schwer – ob Absicht oder Schein?
Was bin ich?
(Lösung/Solution: der Vorsatz)
Translation:
I can be a plan within your head,
Or a device, small and put ahead.
In books, I join cover and page instead.
In court, I weigh heavily – intent or falsehood?
What am I?
(Solution: der Vorsatz)
✨ More Information
Word Composition
The word Vorsatz is composed of:
- vor-: A prefix indicating a position in front, a priority, or an intention.
- der Satz: The base word, which can be understood here in the sense of 'something set down', 'something established', or 'principle'. In the technical sense, also 'something set in front'.
This composition nicely reflects the meanings: something you 'set *before*' yourself (intention) or something you 'set *before*' something else (technical part).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorsatz?
The German word Vorsatz is always masculine. The correct form is der Vorsatz (genitive: des Vorsatzes, plural: die Vorsätze), regardless of whether it refers to an intention, a plan, a technical accessory, or the endpaper in a book.