malice
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malice
The quality of being evil or malicious; the deliberate intention to harm someone, hurt them, or be unkind.
Er sagte das nicht aus Versehen, sondern aus reiner Bosheit.
He didn't say that by accident, but out of pure malice.
'Die Bosheit' (malice) is derived from the adjective 'böse' (evil / angry). The ending '-heit' is typical for German nouns that describe a quality or state.
Sei nicht so böse zu deinem kleinen Bruder.
Don't be so mean to your little brother.
The word has two uses: As an uncountable noun, it describes the quality (malice as a character trait). As a countable noun in the plural ('Bosheiten'), it refers to individual, concrete malicious acts or words.
Seine Entscheidung war von Bosheit geprägt.
His decision was marked by malice.
In the meaning 'malicious intent', the word is very often used in the fixed expression 'aus reiner Bosheit' (out of pure malice). This emphasizes that there was no other reason for an action.
Er hat die Vase zerbrochen, und das nur aus reiner Bosheit.
He broke the vase, and only out of pure malice.
When individual acts are meant, 'Bosheit' (malicious act / malice) is often combined with the adjective 'klein' (small / little). Typical verbs are 'sagen' (to say), 'machen' (to do), or 'begehen' (to commit).
Er ist bekannt für seine gemeinen Bosheiten gegenüber Kollegen.
He is known for his mean malicious remarks toward colleagues.
goodness / quality
'die Güte' and 'die Bosheit' describe opposite qualities in behavior toward other people. 'Güte' means that someone is kind, benevolent, and forgiving. 'Bosheit', on the other hand, means that someone is deliberately unkind or wants to harm others. So the contrast lies in the inner attitude: Güte wants to help or forgive, while Bosheit wants to hurt or harm.
Seine Bosheit zeigte sich, als er die anderen absichtlich auslachte.
His malice showed when he deliberately laughed at the others.
Mit großer Güte hörte Frau Becker dem Kind zu und machte ihm keine Vorwürfe.
With great kindness, Ms. Becker listened to the child and did not blame him.