to intend
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to intend
To have the intention or plan to do something specific; to plan to do something. It is a more formal variant of 'vorhaben' (to plan/intend).
Wir beabsichtigen, unser Geschäft im nächsten Jahr zu erweitern.
We intend to expand our business next year.
The verb 'beabsichtigen' (to intend) is closely related to the noun 'die Absicht' (intention). It literally means to have an intention.
Ich habe die Absicht, Deutsch fließend zu sprechen. Ich beabsichtige, Deutsch fließend zu sprechen.
I have the intention of speaking German fluently. I intend to speak German fluently.
'Beabsichtigen' (to intend) is very often used with an infinitive with 'zu' to describe what someone plans to do. The structure is: 'beabsichtigen, etwas zu tun' (to intend to do something).
Die Firma beabsichtigt, neue Mitarbeiter einzustellen.
The company intends to hire new employees.
This verb belongs to formal language. It is often found in written announcements, official documents, or business communication.
Die Regierung beabsichtigt, die Steuern zu senken.
The government intends to lower taxes.
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
Er beabsichtigte eine lange Reise, musste sie aber verschieben.
He intended a long trip, but had to postpone it.
to think / mean
'meinen' and 'beabsichtigen' can both have to do with an intention, but they are used differently. 'meinen' fits especially with statements: you explain how something was meant or whether you meant it seriously. 'beabsichtigen' means that you have a plan to do something specific. It sounds more formal than 'vorhaben'. So you would be more likely to say 'Das habe ich nicht böse gemeint' (I didn't mean it in a bad way), but 'Wir beabsichtigen, die Wohnung zu renovieren' (We intend to renovate the apartment). 'meinen' describes the intention behind words, while 'beabsichtigen' describes a planned step.
Nach der Arbeit beabsichtigt sie, die Unterlagen für die Reise zu prüfen.
After work, she intends to check the documents for the trip.
Johanna meint ihre Kritik freundlich, auch wenn sie sehr direkt klingt.
Johanna means her criticism kindly, even if it sounds very direct.