deliberate / intent
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deliberate
An action or person characterized by careful thought and caution. One does not act impulsively, but thinks beforehand.
Er ist ein sehr bedachter Mensch, der keine vorschnellen Urteile fällt.
He is a very deliberate person who does not make hasty judgments.
intent on
To be aiming for something or to place great importance on achieving a particular goal or maintaining a particular state.
Sie war immer darauf bedacht, ihr gutes Ansehen zu wahren.
She was always intent on preserving her good reputation.
'Bedacht' (deliberate/intent) is the past participle of the verb 'bedenken' (to consider something, to think about something). A 'bedachte' person or action is therefore one that has been well thought through.
Bitte bedenken Sie die Konsequenzen Ihrer Entscheidung.
Please consider the consequences of your decision.
The two meanings are easy to distinguish. If 'bedacht' stands alone or before a noun, it means 'careful/deliberate'. If the preposition 'auf' follows, it is the fixed expression meaning 'to place importance on something' or 'to be intent on something'.
Seine Antwort war ruhig und bedacht.
His answer was calm and deliberate.
In the meaning 'careful/deliberate', the adjective often describes people, actions, or statements. Typical combinations are 'ein bedachter Mensch' (a deliberate person), 'bedacht handeln' (to act deliberately), or 'eine bedachte Wortwahl' (careful choice of words).
Sie wählte ihre Worte sehr bedacht, um niemanden zu verletzen.
She chose her words very carefully so as not to hurt anyone.
This meaning exists only in the fixed construction 'auf etwas bedacht sein' (to be intent on something / to be careful to do something). The preposition 'auf' always requires the accusative here.
Als Politiker ist er stets auf seinen guten Ruf bedacht.
As a politician, he is always intent on protecting his good reputation.
careful / cautious
Vorsichtig and bedacht both describe acting without haste. Vorsichtig emphasizes wanting to avoid dangers, mistakes, or damage. Bedacht emphasizes thinking things through carefully beforehand and not acting impulsively. Depending on the situation, an action can be both vorsichtig and bedacht.
Nach genauer Prüfung aller Angebote entscheidet die Projektleiterin bedacht.
After carefully reviewing all the offers, the project manager makes a considered decision.
Wegen möglicher Lieferprobleme geht die Projektleiterin vorsichtig vor.
Because of possible delivery problems, the project manager is proceeding cautiously.
