intentionnel

Intentionnel is a French adjective meaning deliberate, purposeful, or directed by an intention. It describes actions, decisions, or behaviours performed with a specific aim, as opposed to accidental or involuntary acts. In everyday language it is used with nouns such as acte, geste, décision, or comportement: for example, une action intentionnelle or ouvrir intentionnellement la porte. Synonyms include délibéré and volontaire, though nuance differs: intentionnel foregrounds the agent’s intention behind the act.

In law and criminology, intentionnel refers to acts performed with intent, contrasted with those caused accidentally. The label can influence judgments about liability and the severity of sanctions.

In philosophy and cognitive science, intentionnalité (the noun) is a central concept: many mental states such as beliefs, desires, and perceptions are said to be intentional if they are about objects, propositions, or states of affairs. The adjective intentionnel can describe such states or phenomena as inherently directed toward content, reflecting the “aboutness” of mental life.

Etymology: intentionnel derives from intention, via Old French intention and ultimately Latin intendere (to stretch toward, aim at); the suffix -nel yields the adjective meaning “pertaining to intent or intention.”

See also: intention, intentionnalité, deliberate action, mens rea.