avsiktsfulla

Avsiktsfulla is an adjective in Swedish used to describe actions, policies, or people that are guided by well-intentioned aims. The term emphasizes benevolence and purposeful planning, rather than mere expediency, and is often used to indicate that the motives behind something are good even if the outcomes are uncertain.

Etymology and form: Avsiktsfulla derives from avsikt, meaning intention, with the suffix -fulla meaning full of. The base form is avsiktsfull, with avsiktsfulla serving as the plural or attributive form before plural nouns (for example, avsiktsfulla åtgärder).

Usage and nuance: The word is generally neutral or lightly positive about the intentions behind an action. In critical contexts, it can imply that good intentions do not automatically produce beneficial results, or that optimism about feasibility may overlook practical constraints. It is related to, but slightly different from, välmenande (well-meaning) and can appear in political or social commentary to describe reforms or campaigns driven by benevolent aims.

Examples:

- Regeringen presenterade avsiktsfulla reformer för att motverka ekonomisk ojämlikhet.

- Kritiker menar att avsiktsfulla åtgärder ofta saknar genomförbarhet.

- Hennes avsiktsfulla insatser uppskattades, även om resultaten blev blandade.

See also: välmenande, intention, svensk ordförråd, lingvistik.