Bedeutung
With intention, not by accident.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French law, 'à dessein' is used to define 'le dol', which is the voluntary intent to cause harm or deceive. In Quebec administrative French, 'à dessein' is frequently used in official reports to justify policy changes. In formal oratory and political speeches in countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, 'à dessein' is used to show rhetorical mastery. 17th-century French playwrights used 'à dessein' to highlight the 'machinations' of their characters.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'à dessin' unless you are literally talking about a drawing. This is a common mistake even for native speakers.
Essay Booster
Use 'à dessein' in your DALF C1/C2 essay to describe an author's strategy. It scores high on 'lexical richness'.
Bedeutung
With intention, not by accident.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'à dessin' unless you are literally talking about a drawing. This is a common mistake even for native speakers.
Essay Booster
Use 'à dessein' in your DALF C1/C2 essay to describe an author's strategy. It scores high on 'lexical richness'.
Register Awareness
If you use this with a waiter, they might think you are being sarcastic or very posh.
The 'De' Rule
When using 'à dessein de', always follow it with an infinitive, never a noun.
Teste dich selbst
Choisissez la bonne orthographe pour compléter la phrase formelle.
Le diplomate a gardé le silence _______.
'À dessein' avec deux 'e' exprime l'intention. 'Dessin' est pour l'art.
Complétez avec la préposition correcte.
Il a voyagé incognito à dessein ___ rencontrer le roi.
La structure fixe est 'à dessein de' + infinitif.
Associez la phrase au registre correct.
1. Il l'a fait exprès. 2. Il a agi à dessein.
'Exprès' est pour la vie quotidienne, 'à dessein' pour l'écrit soutenu.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Exprès vs. À dessein
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenLe diplomate a gardé le silence _______.
'À dessein' avec deux 'e' exprime l'intention. 'Dessin' est pour l'art.
Il a voyagé incognito à dessein ___ rencontrer le roi.
La structure fixe est 'à dessein de' + infinitif.
1. Il l'a fait exprès. 2. Il a agi à dessein.
'Exprès' est pour la vie quotidienne, 'à dessein' pour l'écrit soutenu.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in meaning, but not in register. 'Exprès' is for daily life; 'à dessein' is for formal writing.
No, the phrase is fixed as 'à dessein'.
It sounds exactly like 'dessin' (drawing) or 'saint' (holy). It's the /ɛ̃/ nasal sound.
Yes, in formal reports or strategic documents to show intentional planning.
No, the adverbial phrase 'à dessein' is always singular.
The most common opposites are 'par hasard' (by chance) or 'par mégarde' (by mistake).
Only in period dramas or very intellectual films.
Only if you are joking about being very formal.
Not necessarily, but it often implies a 'hidden' or 'calculated' motive which can feel suspicious.
'Dessein' implies a more complex plan or 'design' than a simple 'intention'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
De propos délibéré
synonymWith full intent and consideration.
Faire exprès
similarTo do on purpose.
Dans le but de
similarWith the goal of.
Par mégarde
contrastBy mistake / accidentally.
À tout dessein
specialized formFor all purposes.
