die
Intention
🎯 What's Behind die Intention?
Die Intention (noun, feminine) describes an intention, a purpose, or a plan. It refers to the conscious will or plan to do or achieve something specific. One acts with a certain Intention.
In contrast to a spontaneous impulse, an Intention involves a conscious direction or aim. It's about what someone intends or aims for.
Examples:
- Seine Intention war es, ihr zu helfen. (His intention was to help her.)
- Ich verstehe die Intention hinter dieser Frage nicht ganz. (I don't quite understand the intention behind this question.)
- Sie handelte in guter Intention. (She acted with good intentions.)
The Grammar of Purpose: Declining die Intention
The word "Intention" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in "-ion" in German are almost always feminine.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Intention | eine Intention |
| Genitive | der Intention | einer Intention |
| Dative | der Intention | einer Intention |
| Accusative | die Intention | eine Intention |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Intentionen | Intentionen |
| Genitive | der Intentionen | Intentionen |
| Dative | den Intentionen | Intentionen |
| Accusative | die Intentionen | Intentionen |
Example Sentences for Clarity
- Die Intention des Autors ist klar erkennbar. (The author's intention is clearly recognizable.)
- Trotz guter Intentionen ging der Plan schief. (Despite good intentions, the plan went wrong.)
- Wir müssen die zugrundeliegende Intention analysieren. (We need to analyze the underlying intention.)
- Die Vielfalt der Intentionen erschwerte die Entscheidung. (The variety of intentions made the decision difficult.)
When to Use Intention? 🤔
"Intention" is often used in a slightly more formal or elevated context than the more common word "Absicht" (intention, purpose). You'll frequently find it in discussions about ethics, psychology, law, or when analyzing actions and their motives.
- Formal Context: In academic papers, philosophical debates, or legal texts, people often speak of "Intention". Example: Die kriminelle Intention muss nachgewiesen werden. (The criminal intent must be proven.)
- Analysis of Motives: When you want to emphasize the deeper reason or purpose behind an action. Example: Was war die eigentliche Intention hinter seiner Aussage? (What was the real intention behind his statement?)
- Distinction from "Absicht": While "Absicht" is more everyday, "Intention" can sometimes imply a subtler, deeper, or more strategic planning. However, they are often interchangeable.
- Distinction from "Zweck": "Zweck" (purpose) often refers to the goal or utility of a thing or action, whereas "Intention" emphasizes the will of the person acting more strongly.
⚠️ Avoid overusing it in casual everyday language where "Absicht" or "Plan" (plan) might sound more natural.
Memory Aids for die Intention 🧠
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion are feminine queens, so say it with might: die Intention!
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'intention'. It sounds almost identical and means the same thing: a purpose or plan. Your Intention is what you intend to do.
Related Words and Opposites 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Absicht: The most common and general synonym (intention, purpose).
- Vorhaben: Emphasizes the plan or project (plan, project, intention).
- Zweck: Focuses on the goal or utility (purpose, aim).
- Ziel: The desired outcome (goal, target, objective).
- Bestreben: A serious effort to achieve something (endeavor, aspiration).
- Plan: A concrete course of action (plan).
- Wille: The inner readiness to do something (will).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
Similar but Misleading Words:
- Intuition (die): Gut feeling, hunch (not consciously planned).
- Intensität (die): Intensity, severity.
A Joke with Intent 😄
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist die stärkste Intention der Welt?"
Fritzchen: "Die Intention, auf die Toilette zu müssen, wenn man schon im Bett liegt!"
Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what is the strongest intention in the world?"
Fritzchen: "The intention to go to the toilet when you're already in bed!"
Verses Full of Plans 📜
Die Intention, ein leiser Hauch,
\Ein Gedanke, zart im Bauch.
\Ein Plan erwacht, ein Ziel so klar,
\Was man will, wird offenbar.
\Mal gut, mal schlecht, sie weist den Weg,
\Die Intention, auf jedem Steg.
Translation:
The intention, a quiet breath,
\A thought, gentle in the gut.
\A plan awakens, a goal so clear,
\What one wants becomes apparent.
\Sometimes good, sometimes bad, it shows the way,
\The intention, on every path.
A Mind Riddle ❓
Ich bin kein Ding, doch hab ein Ziel,
\Bin der Grund für manches Spiel.
\Ich wohne im Kopf, lenke die Hand,
\Bin oft geplant, selten nur Sand.
\Manchmal gut, manchmal verquer,
\Sag, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?
Translation:
I am not a thing, yet I have a goal,
\I am the reason for many a game's role.
\I live in the head, guide the hand,
\I'm often planned, rarely just sand.
\Sometimes good, sometimes askew,
\Tell me, who am I, please do?
Lösung/Solution: die Intention
More Than Just a Word 🧐
Word Origin
The word "Intention" comes from the Latin word intentio, which means "stretching", "attention", "intention". It is related to the verb intendere (to stretch something, direct towards something, intend).
Related Concepts
- Motiv (das): The motive or reason for an action, which often leads to the intention.
- Vorsatz (der): A firm intention, especially in a legal or ethical sense (e.g., intentional act - vorsätzliche Handlung).
- Absichtserklärung (die): A formal declaration of a specific intention (letter of intent).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Intention?
The word Intention is feminine. The correct article is die: die Intention. It means intention, purpose, or plan. The plural is die Intentionen.