When something is tilsigtet, it means it's been planned or intended. It wasn't an accident. You might say a decision was tilsigtet if a lot of thought went into it. For example, if you carefully plan your route to work, your choice of roads is tilsigtet. This word emphasizes purpose and deliberation.
Alright, let's talk about 'tilsigtet'. It's an adjective that pops up a lot, especially when you're trying to explain if something was done on purpose or not. Think of it as 'intended' or 'planned'.
- Danish Word
- tilsigtet
- Part of Speech
- Adjective
- CEFR Level
- C1
- Definition
- Planned or intended; not accidental.
§ Basic Use of 'tilsigtet'
'Tilsigtet' is used when you want to emphasize that an action or an outcome was purposeful. It's the opposite of something happening by chance.
Den skade var tilsigtet.
(The damage was intended.)
Vores mål er en tilsigtet forbedring.
(Our goal is an intended improvement.)
§ 'Tilsigtet' vs. 'Utilsigtet'
The opposite of 'tilsigtet' is 'utilsigtet', which means unintended or accidental. You'll hear this pair quite often.
Fejlen var utilsigtet, ikke med vilje.
(The error was unintended, not on purpose.)
§ Similar Words and When to Use 'tilsigtet'
You've got a few options when you want to talk about intent in Danish. Here's a breakdown of 'tilsigtet' and some alternatives:
- tilsigtet: This is your go-to for a general 'intended' or 'planned'. It's fairly formal and can be used in many contexts, from legal to everyday speech. It emphasizes a conscious decision or aim.
- med vilje: This literally means 'with will' or 'on purpose'. It's often used when you want to strongly contrast an action with something accidental. It feels a bit more direct and less formal than 'tilsigtet'.
Han gjorde det med vilje.
(He did it on purpose.)
- planlagt: This means 'planned'. While similar to 'tilsigtet', 'planlagt' focuses more on the process of planning, often with a sequence of actions or a timeline involved. 'Tilsigtet' is about the intention behind the action, 'planlagt' is about the execution.
Mødet er planlagt til næste uge.
(The meeting is planned for next week.)
- formåede: This isn't an adjective, but it's related. It's the past tense of 'formå', meaning 'to intend' or 'to achieve'. You'll see it when talking about what someone intended to do, not just describing an intended outcome.
Han formåede at overbevise dem.
(He intended/managed to convince them.)
So, when do you use 'tilsigtet'? Use it when you want to clearly state that something was not an accident, that there was a deliberate aim behind it. It's versatile and works well in both written and spoken Danish, especially in more formal contexts.
Think of it this way: if you're discussing the purpose behind an action or an outcome, 'tilsigtet' is often the most appropriate choice. If you're talking about the act of planning something, 'planlagt' might be better. And if you're emphasizing that something was done 'on purpose' in a more direct, less formal way, 'med vilje' works well.
Keep practicing these, and you'll get a good feel for which word fits best in different situations. Good luck!
Fun Fact
The 'til-' prefix is common in Danish and often indicates direction or purpose, similar to 'to' or 'towards' in English.
Difficulty Rating
Can be easily confused with 'utilsigtet' (unintended).
Requires correct application in sentences.
Pronunciation is straightforward, but correct usage is key.
Distinguishing from similar-sounding words is important.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
Den tilsigtede virkning af reformen var at reducere bureaukratiet.
The intended effect of the reform was to reduce bureaucracy.
Here, 'tilsigtede' modifies 'virkning' (effect).
Hans handlinger var helt tilsigtede, ikke en fejltagelse.
His actions were entirely intended, not a mistake.
Used predicatively with 'var' (were).
De tilsigtede resultater blev desværre ikke opnået.
Unfortunately, the intended results were not achieved.
Modifies 'resultater' (results).
Vi må sikre os, at de tilsigtede mål nås.
We must ensure that the intended goals are reached.
Modifies 'mål' (goals).
Der var ingen tilsigtet skade, det var rent uheld.
There was no intended damage, it was pure accident.
Modifies 'skade' (damage).
Den tilsigtede betydning af hans udsagn var klar for alle.
The intended meaning of his statement was clear to everyone.
Modifies 'betydning' (meaning).
Projektets tilsigtede effekt på miljøet var positiv.
The project's intended effect on the environment was positive.
Modifies 'effekt' (effect).
Var det en tilsigtet handling, eller skete det ved et uheld?
Was it an intended action, or did it happen by accident?
Used predicatively in a question.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
How to Use It
Understanding 'tilsigtet'
Tilsigtet is a versatile adjective in Danish that you'll use when something is done with a specific purpose or intention, and not by chance. Think of it as the Danish equivalent of 'intended,' 'deliberate,' or 'on purpose.'
Key contexts for 'tilsigtet':
- Purposeful Actions: When an action is carried out with a clear goal.
- Planned Outcomes: Describing results that were part of a design.
- Legal or Formal Settings: Often used to differentiate between accidental and deliberate acts.
Examples:
- Den tilsigtede effekt af kampagnen var at øge salget.
(The intended effect of the campaign was to increase sales.) - Hans handlinger var tilsigtede, ikke en fejl.
(His actions were deliberate, not a mistake.) - Det var en tilsigtet provokation.
(It was an intentional provocation.)
Phrases with 'tilsigtet':
- Tilsigtet formål: Intended purpose
- Tilsigtet virkning: Intended effect
- Tilsigtet mord: Premeditated murder (a more formal and serious context)
Remember that 'tilsigtet' always implies a conscious decision or plan behind an event or action. It's about what someone meant to do or what was meant to happen.
Common Mistakes with 'tilsigtet'
1. Confusing with 'tilfældig' (accidental/random)
This is the most common error. 'Tilsigtet' is the opposite of 'tilfældig'. Make sure you use 'tilsigtet' when something is on purpose, and 'tilfældig' when it's by chance.
- Incorrect: Det var en tilfældig handling (when you mean it was deliberate).
- Correct: Det var en tilsigtet handling. (It was a deliberate action.)
2. Overusing 'tilsigtet' when simpler words suffice
While 'tilsigtet' is useful, sometimes a simpler phrase can convey the meaning more naturally in Danish. Consider if 'med vilje' (on purpose) or 'planlagt' (planned) might fit better in informal contexts, especially when describing a person's action.
- Less natural (but not wrong): Han gjorde det tilsigtet.
- More natural: Han gjorde det med vilje. (He did it on purpose.)
'Tilsigtet' often sounds a bit more formal or official than 'med vilje'.
3. Incorrect placement in a sentence
As an adjective, 'tilsigtet' usually precedes the noun it modifies. Ensure it agrees in form (though 'tilsigtet' doesn't change much for common agreement rules).
- Incorrect: Effekten tilsigtet var...
- Correct: Den tilsigtede effekt var... (The intended effect was...)
4. Using it to describe a person's state of mind directly
While a person can have 'tilsigtede handlinger' (intended actions), you wouldn't typically say 'en tilsigtet person' to mean an intentional person. 'Tilsigtet' describes the nature of an action, outcome, or plan, not a person's inherent state.
Practicing with examples and paying attention to the context will help you master 'tilsigtet' and avoid these common pitfalls!
Word Origin
Old Norse
Original meaning: to look at, consider
North GermanicCultural Context
Danish culture often values intentionality and precision. While 'tilsigtet' is a formal word, the concept it conveys of deliberate action is appreciated. It contrasts with 'utilsigtet' (unintentional), which can imply carelessness.
Test Yourself 24 questions
Write a short sentence about something you like to eat for dinner. Use simple Danish words.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg spiser pasta til aftensmad.
Write a simple Danish sentence describing what color your shirt is.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min skjorte er blå.
Write a very short sentence in Danish about where you live.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg bor i en by.
Hvor er Anna fra?
Read this passage:
Jeg hedder Anna. Jeg er fra Danmark. Jeg kan godt lide at læse bøger.
Hvor er Anna fra?
Anna siger 'Jeg er fra Danmark.'
Anna siger 'Jeg er fra Danmark.'
Hvilken farve er bilen?
Read this passage:
Han er en dreng. Han har en rød bil. Bilen er stor.
Hvilken farve er bilen?
Passagen siger 'Han har en rød bil.'
Passagen siger 'Han har en rød bil.'
Hvad drikker jeg ikke?
Read this passage:
Jeg drikker vand. Jeg drikker ikke kaffe. Vand er godt for mig.
Hvad drikker jeg ikke?
Passagen siger 'Jeg drikker ikke kaffe.'
Passagen siger 'Jeg drikker ikke kaffe.'
Which word best completes the sentence: 'Han gjorde det ___ at overraske hende.' (He did it ___ to surprise her.)
'Tilsigtet' means intentionally, which fits the context of surprising someone. 'Tilfældigvis' means accidentally, 'hurtigt' means quickly, and 'langsomt' means slowly.
Choose the best translation for 'Is it intentional that the door is open?'
'Tilsigtet' is the correct Danish word for 'intentional' in this context. 'Tilfældigt' means accidental. The other options are asking different questions.
Which situation describes something 'tilsigtet'?
Planning a party is an intentional act. Dropping a phone, finding money, and sudden rain are all accidental or unexpected events.
If something is 'tilsigtet', it happened by accident.
'Tilsigtet' means intentional or planned, the opposite of accidental.
You can use 'tilsigtet' to describe a planned action.
'Tilsigtet' is used to describe actions that are planned or intended.
When you 'tilsigtet' do something, it means you didn't mean to do it.
To do something 'tilsigtet' means you did mean to do it; it was intentional.
Beskriv en situation, hvor en handling havde uforudsete konsekvenser, selvom den var tilsigtet. Fokuser på intentionen bag handlingen og de uventede resultater.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min tilsigtede plan om at overraske min ven med en fest endte med uforudsete konsekvenser, da hun havde planlagt at rejse væk den samme aften. Intentionen var god, men resultaterne var akavede, og festen måtte aflyses.
Forestil dig, at du er en politiker. Skriv en kort tale, hvor du forklarer et tilsigtet lovforslag og de positive virkninger, du forventer, det vil have for samfundet.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mine kære medborgere, det er med en klar tilsigtet hensigt, at vi fremlægger dette lovforslag. Vi forventer, at det vil skabe en mere retfærdig fordeling af ressourcer og have en dybt positiv virkning på samfundets mest sårbare grupper.
Skriv en e-mail til en kollega, hvor du beklager en misforståelse og forklarer, at din tidligere kommentar ikke var tilsigtet at være fornærmende.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kære [Kollegaens navn], jeg skriver for at beklage en misforståelse. Min kommentar tidligere var absolut ikke tilsigtet at være fornærmende, og jeg håber, du kan tilgive mig. Min hensigt var blot at udtrykke en observation, ikke at såre.
Hvad var den tilsigtede effekt af byplanlægningen?
Read this passage:
Den nye byplanlægning havde en tilsigtet effekt på trafikken; man forventede at reducere køerne i myldretiden. Dog opstod der uventede problemer med parkering, hvilket førte til nye udfordringer for beboerne. Arkitekterne måtte genoverveje deres tilgang for at adressere disse uforudsete konsekvenser.
Hvad var den tilsigtede effekt af byplanlægningen?
Passagen angiver, at 'Den nye byplanlægning havde en tilsigtet effekt på trafikken; man forventede at reducere køerne i myldretiden.'
Passagen angiver, at 'Den nye byplanlægning havde en tilsigtet effekt på trafikken; man forventede at reducere køerne i myldretiden.'
Hvad var kunstnerens tilsigtede formål med værket?
Read this passage:
Kunstnerens værk var tilsigtet at provokere seeren og udfordre traditionelle opfattelser af skønhed. Reaktionen var blandet; nogle fandt det genialt, mens andre anså det for meningsløst. Dette afspejlede kunstnerens ønske om at skabe debat og refleksion, snarere end blot behagelige æstetik.
Hvad var kunstnerens tilsigtede formål med værket?
Passagen forklarer, at 'Kunstnerens værk var tilsigtet at provokere seeren og udfordre traditionelle opfattelser af skønhed.'
Passagen forklarer, at 'Kunstnerens værk var tilsigtet at provokere seeren og udfordre traditionelle opfattelser af skønhed.'
Hvem var virksomhedens tilsigtede målgruppe med den nye marketingstrategi?
Read this passage:
Virksomhedens nye marketingstrategi var tilsigtet at ramme et yngre publikum gennem sociale medier. Selvom den umiddelbare respons var positiv, viste det sig, at kernekunderne følte sig overset. Dette nødvendiggjorde en justering af strategien for at balancere appellen til nye og eksisterende kundesegmenter.
Hvem var virksomhedens tilsigtede målgruppe med den nye marketingstrategi?
Passagen siger, at 'Virksomhedens nye marketingstrategi var tilsigtet at ramme et yngre publikum gennem sociale medier.'
Passagen siger, at 'Virksomhedens nye marketingstrategi var tilsigtet at ramme et yngre publikum gennem sociale medier.'
The action was intended, but not unintended. 'Tilsigtet' means intended, and 'utilsigtet' means unintended.
It is an intended consequence of a decision. 'Tilsigtet' modifies 'konsekvens' (consequence).
It is intended to improve the user experience. 'Tilsigtet' here acts as an adverbial phrase modifying 'at forbedre' (to improve).
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
More academic words
abstrahere
C1To consider something independently of its associations.
afklaring
B2The act of making something clear or clarified
afspejle
B2To reflect or show the nature of something.
afveje
B2To weigh up different options.
afvige
B2To depart from an established course.
analysere
B1to examine in detail for purposes of explanation
andelen
B1The share, proportion, or part of a whole.
anerkendt
B2Generally accepted or recognized
anfægtelig
C1debatable or contestable
anmærke
C1to note or point out
