ulterior motive
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ulterior motive
A hidden reason or secret intention behind an action or statement that is not openly stated.
Er hat mir geholfen, aber ich glaube, er hatte dabei einen Hintergedanken.
He helped me, but I think he had an ulterior motive.
The word is built very logically: it consists of 'hinter' (behind) and 'Gedanke' (thought). A 'Hintergedanke' (ulterior motive) is therefore literally a thought hidden behind what is openly said or done.
Seine freundlichen Worte klangen ehrlich, aber sie hatte das Gefühl, er verfolgte einen Hintergedanken.
His friendly words sounded sincere, but she had the feeling that he was pursuing an ulterior motive.
'Hintergedanke' (ulterior motive) is very often used with the verb 'haben' (to have). Typical formulations are 'einen Hintergedanken haben' (to have an ulterior motive) or the negation 'ohne Hintergedanken handeln' (to act without ulterior motives).
Ich helfe dir gern, und zwar ganz ohne Hintergedanken.
I’m happy to help you, completely without any ulterior motive.
The word usually has a slightly negative or suspicious connotation. It implies that a person’s true intention is self-serving or not entirely honest.
Sein plötzliches Interesse weckte den Verdacht, dass er einen Hintergedanken hatte.
His sudden interest raised the suspicion that he had an ulterior motive.
intention
An Absicht is a goal that can be stated openly or kept secret. A Hintergedanke, by contrast, is an additional reason that someone does not reveal openly. Absicht is appropriate for a neutral goal; Hintergedanke is appropriate for a hidden motive.
Sie hilft ihrem Kollegen mit dem Hintergedanken, später selbst einen Vorteil zu bekommen.
She helps her colleague with the ulterior motive of gaining an advantage herself later.
Sie hilft ihrem Kollegen mit der Absicht, die gemeinsame Aufgabe schneller zu beenden.
She helps her colleague with the intention of finishing their shared task more quickly.
