In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say something was done intentionally.
- The direct opposite of 'aus Versehen' (by accident).
- Works in both casual chats and professional meetings.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe an action done intentionally rather than by accident. It is the German way of saying someone did something 'on purpose' or 'deliberately'.
Key Examples
3 of 6Teasing a friend who 'accidentally' ate your fries
Du hast meine Pommes mit Absicht gegessen!
You ate my fries on purpose!
Clarifying a mistake at work
Das war nicht mit Absicht, ich habe die E-Mail übersehen.
That wasn't on purpose; I overlooked the email.
Texting a partner about a late reply
Ich habe nicht mit Absicht so spät geantwortet.
I didn't reply late on purpose.
Cultural Background
Directness is valued. Admitting something was 'mit Absicht' can be seen as honest and taking ownership, which is often preferred over making excuses. In Vienna, 'mit Absicht' might be replaced by 'mit Fleiß' in very informal, local contexts, though it sounds a bit old-fashioned. Swiss German speakers use 'mit Absicht' in High German, but in dialect, they might say 'mit Fliss' or 'extra'. The distinction between 'Absicht' and 'Fahrlässigkeit' (negligence) is the foundation of the penal code. 'Mit Absicht' implies the highest level of 'Vorsatz'.
The 'No' Rule
If you want to say 'I didn't mean to', just say 'Keine Absicht!'. It's the fastest, most natural apology.
Preposition Alert
Never say 'auf Absicht'. This is a classic 'Denglisch' mistake that native speakers will immediately notice.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say something was done intentionally.
- The direct opposite of 'aus Versehen' (by accident).
- Works in both casual chats and professional meetings.
What It Means
mit Absicht is your go-to phrase for intentionality. It tells everyone that an action was a choice. It is the direct opposite of aus Versehen, which means 'by accident'. Use it when you want to clarify motivation. It turns a simple action into a planned event.
How To Use It
You usually place mit Absicht after the verb. It functions like an adverb in English. For example, Er hat das mit Absicht getan. This means 'He did that on purpose'. It is very flexible in sentence structure. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses. It sounds natural in almost any conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when someone eats your sandwich at work. Use it when a friend ignores your text message. It is perfect for playful teasing among friends. You might say, Hast du das mit Absicht gemacht? with a wink. It also works in serious discussions about mistakes. It helps clarify if a person meant to cause trouble. In a meeting, use it to highlight a strategic choice.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for natural occurrences. You wouldn't say the rain falls mit Absicht. Do not use it for involuntary physical reactions. Sneezing is rarely done mit Absicht. If you are in a very high-level legal setting, use vorsätzlich. That word is more technical and precise for law. For everyday life, mit Absicht is much better.
Cultural Background
German culture often emphasizes personal responsibility and directness. Using mit Absicht can sound quite accusatory if your tone is sharp. Germans appreciate knowing the 'Why' behind an action. If you do something wrong, clarify if it was intentional. Admitting a mistake was NOT mit Absicht can de-escalate a fight. It shows you value the other person's feelings.
Common Variations
You will often hear the adverb absichtlich. It means exactly the same thing as mit Absicht. Another common variation is voller Absicht, which means 'with full intent'. This adds extra emphasis to the action. If someone is being extra stubborn, you might hear mit voller Absicht. It makes the statement sound much stronger and more certain.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any register. Just remember that 'mit' triggers the dative case, though 'Absicht' is a feminine noun and doesn't change its ending here.
The 'No' Rule
If you want to say 'I didn't mean to', just say 'Keine Absicht!'. It's the fastest, most natural apology.
Preposition Alert
Never say 'auf Absicht'. This is a classic 'Denglisch' mistake that native speakers will immediately notice.
Legal Nuance
If you are in a formal setting, use 'vorsätzlich' to sound more authoritative and precise.
Examples
6Du hast meine Pommes mit Absicht gegessen!
You ate my fries on purpose!
A classic playful accusation among friends.
Das war nicht mit Absicht, ich habe die E-Mail übersehen.
That wasn't on purpose; I overlooked the email.
Useful for de-escalating tension in a professional setting.
Ich habe nicht mit Absicht so spät geantwortet.
I didn't reply late on purpose.
Softens the blow of a delayed response.
Wir haben diese Farbe mit Absicht gewählt.
We chose this color on purpose.
Shows confidence in a design or business choice.
Hast du das mit Absicht gemacht?
Did you do that on purpose?
A common parental question to gauge intent.
Das war ein Foul mit Absicht.
That was an intentional foul.
Used to describe sports behavior.
Test Yourself
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Someone stepped on your foot. You want to ask if they did it on purpose.
In German, the idiom is always 'mit Absicht'.
Fill in the missing word.
Entschuldigung! Das war keine ________.
'Keine Absicht' is the standard way to say 'I didn't mean to'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum hast du die {die|f} Party so früh verlassen? B: Ich wollte ________ gehen, damit ich heute fit bin.
Context implies a deliberate choice for a specific reason.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are a lawyer defending a client who broke a law by accident.
To defend someone, you claim they had no intent ('ohne Absicht').
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSomeone stepped on your foot. You want to ask if they did it on purpose.
In German, the idiom is always 'mit Absicht'.
Entschuldigung! Das war keine ________.
'Keine Absicht' is the standard way to say 'I didn't mean to'.
A: Warum hast du die {die|f} Party so früh verlassen? B: Ich wollte ________ gehen, damit ich heute fit bin.
Context implies a deliberate choice for a specific reason.
You are a lawyer defending a client who broke a law by accident.
To defend someone, you claim they had no intent ('ohne Absicht').
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the context. Saying 'Das war mit Absicht' to someone can be an accusation. Admitting 'Ich habe das mit Absicht gemacht' is just honest.
Yes! 'Ich habe dir mit Absicht das größte {das|n} Stück Kuchen gegeben.' It just means 'deliberately'.
A {der|m} Plan is a detailed sequence of steps. {die|f} Absicht is just the mental will to do something.
Use 'ohne Absicht' or 'aus Versehen'.
They are roughly equal. 'Mit Absicht' is slightly more common in short, spoken sentences like 'Das war mit Absicht!'.
No, that sounds strange. Just say 'mit Absicht' or 'in meiner Absicht' (formal).
Yes, because the preposition 'mit' always requires the dative case in German.
Yes, if you believe the animal has intent. 'Die {die|f} Katze hat das {das|n} Glas mit Absicht vom {der|m} Tisch gestoßen.'
It means 'malicious intent'. It's a very strong and formal accusation.
In slang, people often just say 'Extra'. 'Das hast du extra gemacht!'
Related Phrases
aus Versehen
contrastby mistake
mit voller Absicht
builds onwith full intent
in der Absicht, zu...
specialized formwith the intention of...
absichtlich
synonymintentionally
vorsätzlich
specialized formpremeditated
