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 mean that something happens intentionally. 'bewusst' is more general and fits many everyday situations: you do something not by chance, but deliberately. 'vorsätzlich' sounds stronger and is often used with rules, guilt, or the law. It means that someone acts intentionally and knows the possible consequences. In everyday life, 'bewusst' is usually more natural; for serious misconduct or in legal texts, 'vorsätzlich' is more precise.
Der Mitarbeiter hat die Daten vorsätzlich gelöscht.
The employee intentionally deleted the data.
Elif hat bewusst leise gesprochen, damit das Kind nicht aufwacht.
Elif deliberately spoke quietly so the child would not wake up.