bedoeld

bedoeld is the past participle of the Dutch verb bedoelen, which means to intend, mean, or signify. As a word form it functions both as a verbal participle in compound tenses and as an adjective describing something that was intended or meant. In practice, bedoeld expresses the idea that a plan, action, or statement had a particular purpose or target.

Etymologically, bedoelen is linked to the noun bedoeling, meaning intention or aim. The element be- is a common Dutch prefix, and the base doel means goal or purpose. The combination conveys that the action or statement has been directed toward a specific end. The participle vormd is used with auxiliary hebben in perfect tenses (Ik heb bedoeld) and can also appear predicatively (Het is bedoeld) or attributively (het bedoelde doel).

Usage notes include that bedoelde often appears where English speakers would use “intended” or “meant.” It can describe both concrete outcomes (Het bedoelde gevolg) and more abstract aims (het bedoelde doel van de campagne). In contrast with beoogd, which often emphasizes planned, aspirational or desirable outcomes, bedoeld centers on what was actually meant or intended at the time.

Common examples:

- Ik heb dat niet bedoeld. (I didn’t mean that.)

- Dat is bedoeld om verwarring te voorkomen. (That is intended to prevent confusion.)

- Het bedoelde effect bleek anders uit te pakken.

See also: bedoelen, beoogd, bedoeling.