intentional
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intentional
Acting with intent and full awareness of the possible consequences; not accidental or negligent. The term is frequently used in legal contexts.
Das Gericht urteilte, dass der Angeklagte die Tat vorsätzlich begangen hatte.
The court ruled that the defendant had committed the act intentionally.
'Vorsätzlich' belongs to the word family of 'der Vorsatz' (the intention, the plan). A 'vorsätzliche Tat' (intentional act) is therefore an action based on a plan formed beforehand.
Er hatte den festen Vorsatz, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören.
He had the firm intention of quitting smoking.
This word is very often used in legal language to distinguish an intentional criminal act from a negligent one. It therefore sounds very formal.
Das Gericht prüfte, ob der Schaden vorsätzlich oder nur fahrlässig verursacht wurde.
The court examined whether the damage was caused intentionally or merely negligently.
'Vorsätzlich' (intentional/intentionally) can stand as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb that describes a verb. Both uses are very common.
Es handelte sich um vorsätzliche Brandstiftung.
It was a case of intentional arson.
conscious / deliberate
Bewusst and vorsätzlich can both be used for an action that is not accidental. Here, bewusst mainly indicates that someone knows about the action or its possible consequences, while vorsätzlich refers to an intentional action carried out with full awareness of the possible consequences and is often used in legal language. Bewusst is appropriate for mere awareness; vorsätzlich is used for this legally marked assessment.
Die Behörde bewertete den Regelverstoß als vorsätzlich, weil der Fahrer die möglichen Folgen kannte.
The authorities classified the violation as intentional because the driver knew the possible consequences.
Der Fahrer war sich bewusst, dass er mit seinem Verhalten die Verkehrsregel verletzte.
The driver was aware that his behavior violated a traffic regulation.
