absichtliches

Absichtliches is the attributive form of the German adjective absichtlich and is used to describe nouns as being done with intention or deliberation. It is not a stand-alone noun; rather, it appears in phrases such as absichtliches Verhalten, absichtliche Täuschung or absichtliches Verzögern, where the ending adapts to the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Etymology and meaning: The adjective absichtlich derives from the noun Absicht, meaning intention or aim. Absichtlich literally means “with intention” or “deliberately.” It is often contrasted with unabsichtlich or versehentlich, which denote actions performed by accident or without conscious purpose. As an attributive form, absichtliches agrees with a neuter singular noun in the nominative or accusative case, for example das absichtliche Verhalten.

Usage: In ordinary language, absichtliches describes actions that are purposeful and planned. In legal, ethical, or critical contexts it can carry a moral or evaluative charge, signaling that an act was not accidental. Synonyms or near-synonyms include vorsätzlich (more formal or legal) and bewusst, though each carries slightly different connotations. The related expression aus Absicht emphasizes intent more explicitly, as in a action carried out aus Absicht.

Examples: Er hat absichtlich gelogen. Das absichtliche Verzögern der Lieferung wurde geprüft. Das absichtliche Vorgehen des Unternehmens wurde von der Aufsicht bemerkt.

See also: Absicht, absichtlich, unabsichtlich, vorsätzlich. Absichtliches is primarily a descriptive, attributive use in German and relies on the surrounding noun to convey the specific context of intent.