intensjonell

Intensjonell is a Norwegian adjective meaning characterized by intention or deliberate purpose; performed with a defined aim, not by accident. The term is used across several registers—academic, philosophical, psychological, and, to some extent, legal language—to describe actions, plans, or motives that are consciously directed toward a goal. The adverb form is intensjonelt, used to describe how something is done (for example, intensjonelt planned).

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from intensjon, meaning intention, with the suffix -ell. Related forms appear in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish intensjonel and Swedish intensjonell, reflecting shared Germanic roots.

Usage and nuance: Intensjonell emphasizes a conscious aim and purposeful direction behind an act or decision. It is more formal and often more precise than everyday terms like bevisst (conscious) or vilje (will), and it is closer in sense to the English deliberate or intentional. In everyday Norwegian, speakers may prefer forsettlig or med vilje for common descriptions of intentional actions, while intensjonell is common in written or technical contexts, including philosophy, psychology, and criminology when distinguishing intentional acts from unplanned ones.

Translations and related terms: In English, intensjonell translates roughly as intentional or deliberate. Related Norwegian terms include intensjon (intention), forsett (intent/settled purpose), and bevissthet (awareness).

See also: intention, forsett, bevissthet.