absichtlich
deliberately
Intentionally, on purpose, and not by chance or by accident.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich absichtlich angerempelt, um einen Streit anzufangen.
He deliberately bumped into me to start an argument.
absichtlich
deliberately
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'absichtlich' (deliberately) is derived from the noun 'die Absicht' (intention). If you do something 'mit Absicht' (on purpose), you do it 'absichtlich' (deliberately).
EXAMPLE
Es war keine Absicht, ich habe dich nicht absichtlich ignoriert.
It wasn't intentional; I didn't deliberately ignore you.
Word order
As an adverb, 'absichtlich' (deliberately) can stand flexibly in the sentence, usually before or after the verb it describes. It can also be used alone as an answer or predicatively.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat die Tür absichtlich offen gelassen.
She deliberately left the door open.
Typical context
'Absichtlich' (deliberately) is very often used to express that a negative action was intentional and not an accident. It emphasizes responsibility for an act.
EXAMPLE
Ich glaube, er hat das Glas absichtlich fallen lassen, weil er wütend war.
I think he deliberately dropped the glass because he was angry.
Compare with
absichtlich vs bewusst
conscious / deliberate
Bewusst and absichtlich can both describe an action that is not accidental. Absichtlich clearly emphasizes that a particular result is intended, while bewusst can also simply stress that someone knows what they are doing or acts attentively. Absichtlich is especially clear when a desired outcome is involved; bewusst leaves more room for the nuance of awareness.
absichtlich
Er stieß die Vase absichtlich um, weil er sie zerbrechen wollte.
He deliberately knocked the vase over because he wanted to break it.
bewusst
Sie stellte die Vase bewusst an den Rand, obwohl sie die Gefahr kannte.
She knowingly placed the vase on the edge, even though she knew the danger.
In real life
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