의도적이다 in 30 Seconds
- Intentional, deliberate, done on purpose.
- Describes actions with conscious aim or plan.
- Not accidental; implies premeditation.
- Used in formal and informal contexts.
- Definition
- The Korean adjective '의도적이다' (uidojeogida) translates to 'intentional,' 'done on purpose,' or 'deliberate' in English. It describes an action or behavior that is not accidental but is planned or carried out with a specific purpose or aim in mind. It implies a conscious decision and a level of premeditation.
- Usage Context
- This word is used to describe actions, behaviors, statements, or even omissions that are not by chance. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For instance, a '의도적인' (intentional) effort might be praised for its thoroughness, while an '의도적인' (intentional) mistake could be criticized for malice or deception. It's a versatile adjective that can apply to a wide range of situations, from everyday interactions to more formal discussions in law, ethics, or psychology.
- Nuance
- The core of '의도적이다' is the presence of intent. It distinguishes between something that happens by accident and something that is brought about by a person's will. The degree of deliberateness can vary, but the fundamental element is that the action was not spontaneous or unintentional. It often carries a connotation of responsibility, as intentional actions are typically seen as more accountable than accidental ones.
그녀의 칭찬은 의도적이었다. (Her praise was intentional.)
실수인지 의도적인 행동인지 구분하기 어려웠다. (It was difficult to distinguish whether it was a mistake or an intentional action.)
그는 의도적으로 나를 피하고 있었다. (He was intentionally avoiding me.)
- Basic Structure
- The adjective '의도적이다' typically follows the noun it modifies, often with the connective particle '-ㄴ/은' if used attributively, or directly as a predicate. When used as a predicate, it often appears in its base form or with polite endings like '-입니다' or '-어요'.
- Examples
- When describing an action as intentional, you can say: '그의 행동은 의도적이었다.' (His actions were intentional.) Or, '그는 의도적으로 그렇게 말했다.' (He said that intentionally.) When referring to an intentional mistake: '그것은 실수가 아니라 의도적인 것이었다.' (It was not a mistake, but an intentional one.) The adjective can also be used to modify nouns directly: '의도적인 방해' (intentional obstruction) or '의도적인 침묵' (intentional silence).
- Modifying Verbs
- To describe how an action was performed intentionally, you can use the adverbial form of the adjective, which is '의도적으로' (uidojeogeuro). For example: '그녀는 의도적으로 나를 무시했다.' (She intentionally ignored me.) This adverbial form is very common and useful for specifying the manner of an action.
그의 사과는 의도적인 변명처럼 들렸다. (His apology sounded like an intentional excuse.)
우리는 의도적인 실수를 하지 않도록 주의해야 한다. (We must be careful not to make intentional mistakes.)
그것은 우연이 아니라 의도적인 선택이었다. (It was not a coincidence, but an intentional choice.)
- News and Legal Contexts
- You'll frequently encounter '의도적이다' in news reports and legal discussions. When an incident occurs, reporters and legal experts often analyze whether the actions were '의도적인' (intentional) or accidental. For example, discussions about crimes often revolve around the perpetrator's intent, making '의도적' a crucial term. Phrases like '의도적인 범죄' (intentional crime) or '의도적인 증거 인멸' (intentional destruction of evidence) are common.
- Psychology and Philosophy
- In academic fields like psychology and philosophy, the concept of intentionality is central. Discussions about human behavior, decision-making, and consciousness often use '의도적이다' to distinguish between volitional and involuntary actions. For instance, a psychologist might study '의도적인 습관 형성' (intentional habit formation) or the difference between '반사적인 행동' (reflexive behavior) and '의도적인 행동' (intentional behavior).
- Everyday Conversations
- Even in casual conversations, '의도적이다' is used to express suspicion or to clarify the nature of someone's actions. If someone does something that seems out of character or has a negative consequence, you might ask, '그거 의도적이었어?' (Was that intentional?). Or, if you want to reassure someone that your action was not meant to be harmful, you might say, '절대 의도적인 게 아니었어요.' (It was absolutely not intentional.)
뉴스에서 의도적인 사건에 대한 분석을 보았습니다. (I saw an analysis of an intentional incident on the news.)
심리학 수업에서 우리는 의도적인 행동의 원인을 배웠습니다. (In the psychology class, we learned about the causes of intentional behavior.)
그의 무례한 발언이 의도적이었는지 묻고 싶었다. (I wanted to ask if his rude remark was intentional.)
- Confusing with '우연적이다' (Accidental)
- The most common mistake is confusing '의도적이다' with its opposite, '우연적이다' (uyeonjeogida), which means 'accidental' or 'coincidental.' Learners might incorrectly use '의도적이다' to describe something that clearly happened by chance. For example, saying '그것은 의도적인 사고였다' (It was an intentional accident) when it was clearly a mishap due to external factors. The key is to remember that '의도적' implies a conscious decision, while '우연적' implies a lack of planning or control.
- Incorrect Adverbial Form
- Another common error is using the adjective form '의도적' or '의도적이다' when the adverbial form '의도적으로' is needed. For instance, saying '그는 의도적 말했다' (He intentionally said) is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to modify the verb '말했다' (said) is to use the adverbial form: '그는 의도적으로 말했다' (He intentionally said).
- Overuse or Misapplication
- Sometimes, learners might overuse '의도적이다' when a simpler description would suffice, or apply it to situations where the intent is unclear or irrelevant. It's important to use the word when there's a clear indication of purpose or planning. For example, calling every slightly inconvenient event '의도적' might sound overly suspicious or accusatory.
Incorrect: 그의 행동은 의도적으로 보였다. (His action looked intentional.) - Should be '의도적이었다' or '의도적으로 보였다'.
Incorrect: 나는 의도적으로 그에게 늦었다. (I was intentionally late to him.) - Should be '나는 의도적으로 그에게 늦었다.' (I was intentionally late to him.)
Incorrect: 그것은 의도적으로 일어난 일이다. (That is something that happened intentionally.) - Should be '그것은 의도적으로 일어난 일이다.' (That is something that happened intentionally.)
- 계획적이다 (gyehwegjeogida) - Planned
- '계획적이다' emphasizes that something was part of a plan or scheme. While '의도적이다' focuses on the presence of intent, '계획적이다' highlights the structured, premeditated nature of the action. An action can be '의도적' (intentional) without being '계획적' (planned), such as a spontaneous but deliberate decision. Conversely, something can be '계획적' (planned) and also '의도적' (intentional).
- 고의적이다 (goeuiijeogida) - Premeditated / Malicious Intent
- '고의적이다' is a stronger term than '의도적이다' and often carries a negative connotation, implying malicious intent or premeditation, especially in legal contexts. While '의도적이다' can be neutral or even positive, '고의적이다' is almost always used for harmful or deliberate wrongdoing. For example, '고의적인 살인' (premeditated murder) is a severe crime, whereas '의도적인 도움' (intentional help) is positive.
- 일부러 (ilbureo) - Deliberately / On Purpose (Adverb)
- '일부러' is an adverb that directly translates to 'deliberately' or 'on purpose.' It is a more colloquial and direct way to express intentionality compared to the adjective '의도적이다.' You would use '일부러' to modify a verb, similar to '의도적으로.' For example, '그는 나를 일부러 피했다.' (He deliberately avoided me.) This is a very common alternative in spoken Korean.
- 자발적이다 (jabaljeogida) - Voluntary
- '자발적이다' means 'voluntary' and emphasizes that an action is done of one's own free will, without external coercion. While intentional actions are often voluntary, '자발적이다' focuses on the absence of force or obligation, whereas '의도적이다' focuses on the presence of a specific aim or purpose. For instance, donating to charity can be both '자발적' (voluntary) and '의도적' (intentional).
그녀의 행동은 의도적이었지만, 계획적이지는 않았다. (Her action was intentional, but not planned.)
그는 고의적으로 나에게 상처를 주었다. (He intentionally (maliciously) hurt me.) vs. 그는 의도적으로 나를 도왔다. (He intentionally (with purpose) helped me.)
나는 일부러 그를 기다리게 했다. (I deliberately made him wait.)
그녀의 자원봉사는 자발적이고 의도적이었다. (Her volunteer work was voluntary and intentional.)
Fun Fact
The combination of Sino-Korean roots with native Korean grammatical endings is very common in Korean vocabulary, especially for abstract concepts and adjectives. This structure allows for precise expression of nuanced meanings, as seen with '의도적이다' which clearly distinguishes intentional actions from accidental ones.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the diphthong '의' as a simple 'i' sound.
- Incorrectly stressing syllables, such as placing stress on the final '다' (da).
- Not clearly articulating the 'ㅈ' (j) sound in '적' (jeok).
Examples by Level
He did it.
Simple statement of action.
Basic sentence structure.
It was not by accident.
Negation of accident.
Using negation.
He wanted to do it.
Expressing desire.
Simple verb of wanting.
This was done on purpose.
Simple phrase for intentionality.
Using a common phrase.
Not a mistake.
Direct denial of mistake.
Short, direct statement.
He planned it.
Action involving planning.
Simple past tense verb.
With a reason.
Implies purpose.
Prepositional phrase.
Not by chance.
Opposite of chance.
Negation of chance.
그는 일부러 늦었다.
He was late on purpose.
'일부러' (on purpose) used as an adverb.
그것은 우연이 아니다.
That is not a coincidence.
Using '우연' (coincidence) with negation.
그녀는 이것을 원했다.
She wanted this.
Expressing desire with '원하다'.
그의 행동은 계획된 것이었다.
His action was planned.
'계획된' (planned) as an adjective.
실수가 아니에요.
It's not a mistake.
Simple negation of mistake.
그들은 의도한 대로 했다.
They did as they intended.
Using '의도하다' (to intend) in past tense.
이것은 계획된 일입니다.
This is a planned matter.
'계획된' (planned) used with polite ending.
그것은 우연히 일어난 일이 아니에요.
That didn't happen by chance.
Negating accidental occurrence.
그의 말은 의도적이었다.
His words were intentional.
'의도적이다' used as a predicate.
그녀는 의도적으로 나를 피했다.
She intentionally avoided me.
'의도적으로' (intentionally) modifying the verb '피하다' (to avoid).
이것은 실수인가, 의도적인 행동인가?
Is this a mistake, or an intentional action?
Using '의도적인' as an adjective modifying '행동' (action).
그들은 의도적인 방식으로 문제를 해결했다.
They solved the problem in an intentional manner.
'의도적인 방식' (intentional manner).
그것은 계획된 것이었지, 우연이 아니었다.
It was planned, not a coincidence.
Contrasting '계획된' (planned) and '우연' (coincidence).
그의 침묵은 의도적인 것이었다.
His silence was intentional.
'의도적인 것' (intentional thing).
나는 일부러 실수를 하지 않았다.
I did not make a mistake on purpose.
Negating '일부러' (on purpose).
이것은 우리의 의도적인 노력의 결과입니다.
This is the result of our intentional effort.
'의도적인 노력' (intentional effort).
그의 발언은 상황을 악화시키려는 의도적인 시도였다.
His remark was an intentional attempt to worsen the situation.
'의도적인 시도' (intentional attempt).
이러한 혼란은 의도적으로 야기된 것으로 보인다.
This confusion appears to have been intentionally caused.
'의도적으로 야기된' (intentionally caused).
그는 자신의 행동이 의도적이지 않았다고 주장했다.
He claimed his actions were not intentional.
Using negation with '의도적이다'.
법에서는 고의성과 과실을 엄격히 구분한다. 의도적인 행위는 더 큰 책임을 수반한다.
The law strictly distinguishes between intent and negligence. Intentional acts carry greater responsibility.
Distinguishing '고의성' (intent/malice) and '의도성' (intentionality).
그녀는 자신의 의견을 명확히 전달하기 위해 의도적으로 단어를 선택했다.
She intentionally chose her words to clearly convey her opinion.
'의도적으로 단어를 선택했다' (intentionally chose words).
이 프로젝트의 성공은 우리의 의도적인 노력에 달려 있다.
The success of this project depends on our intentional efforts.
'의도적인 노력' (intentional efforts).
그녀의 무관심은 의도적인 것이 아니라, 단순히 피곤했기 때문이었다.
Her indifference was not intentional, but simply because she was tired.
Contrasting intentionality with a reason.
그는 의도적으로 대화를 다른 주제로 돌렸다.
He intentionally diverted the conversation to another topic.
'의도적으로 대화를 돌렸다' (intentionally diverted conversation).
그의 반응은 단순한 놀라움이라기보다는 의도적인 무시였다.
His reaction was an intentional disregard rather than simple surprise.
Distinguishing between intentional disregard and surprise.
이러한 정책 변화는 경제에 미칠 영향을 의도적으로 고려한 결과이다.
This policy change is the result of intentionally considering its impact on the economy.
'의도적으로 고려한 결과' (result of intentionally considering).
그녀의 글쓰기 스타일은 독자의 감정을 자극하려는 의도적인 장치로 가득 차 있다.
Her writing style is full of intentional devices to stimulate the reader's emotions.
'의도적인 장치' (intentional device).
법정에서는 행위의 고의성 여부가 판결에 결정적인 영향을 미친다. 의도적인 범죄는 훨씬 더 엄중한 처벌을 받는다.
In court, the presence of intent (malice) significantly influences the verdict. Intentional crimes receive much harsher penalties.
Legal context distinguishing '고의성' and '의도성'.
그의 침묵은 동의의 표시가 아니라, 반대 의사를 의도적으로 숨기려는 시도였다.
His silence was not a sign of agreement, but an attempt to intentionally hide his opposition.
Interpreting intentional silence.
이러한 예술 작품은 사회적 메시지를 전달하기 위한 의도적인 표현이다.
This work of art is an intentional expression to convey a social message.
'의도적인 표현' (intentional expression).
그녀는 상대방의 약점을 파고들기 위해 의도적으로 도발적인 질문을 던졌다.
She intentionally posed provocative questions to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.
'의도적으로 도발적인 질문' (intentionally provocative questions).
그의 행동은 결과적으로 부정적인 영향을 미쳤지만, 그의 의도는 순수했다.
Although his actions had negative consequences, his intentions were pure.
Differentiating action and intention.
그의 논지는 명백히 반대 의견을 봉쇄하려는 의도적인 전략의 일환이었다.
His thesis was clearly part of an intentional strategy to block opposing views.
'의도적인 전략' (intentional strategy).
이러한 역사적 서술은 특정 정치적 의제를 옹호하기 위한 의도적인 왜곡을 포함하고 있다.
This historical narrative contains intentional distortions to promote a specific political agenda.
'의도적인 왜곡' (intentional distortion).
그녀의 연기는 인물의 내면적 갈등을 드러내기 위한 의도적인 해석이었다.
Her acting was an intentional interpretation to reveal the character's inner conflict.
'의도적인 해석' (intentional interpretation).
사회 계약론에서 개인의 의도성은 사회 질서의 근간을 이루는 핵심 요소로 간주된다.
In social contract theory, individual intentionality is considered a core element forming the basis of social order.
Philosophical usage of '의도성' (intentionality).
그의 글에서 나타나는 모호함은 독자의 해석을 유도하려는 의도적인 기법이었다.
The ambiguity in his writing was an intentional technique to guide the reader's interpretation.
'의도적인 기법' (intentional technique).
이러한 예술적 표현의 복잡성은 관객으로 하여금 피상적인 이해를 넘어 심오한 의미를 탐구하도록 의도된 것이다.
The complexity of this artistic expression is intended to lead the audience beyond superficial understanding to explore profound meanings.
'의도된 것이다' (is intended).
그의 발언은 단순히 의견 표명을 넘어, 특정 집단의 여론을 조작하려는 의도적인 발언이었다.
His statement went beyond mere opinion expression; it was an intentional utterance to manipulate the public opinion of a specific group.
'의도적인 발언' (intentional utterance).
진실의 본질에 대한 철학적 탐구는 의도성과 인식의 상호작용을 깊이 파고든다.
Philosophical inquiry into the nature of truth delves deeply into the interplay of intentionality and perception.
Abstract philosophical concept.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To be intentional; done on purpose; deliberate.
그의 행동은 의도적이었다. (His actions were intentional.)
— Intentionally; deliberately; on purpose.
그녀는 의도적으로 나를 피했다. (She intentionally avoided me.)
— Intentional ~ (used as an adjective before a noun).
이것은 의도적인 실수였다. (This was an intentional mistake.)
— Whether it's a mistake or intentional.
그것이 실수인지 의도적인 건지 알 수 없었다. (It was unclear whether that was a mistake or intentional.)
— To not intend; to not do on purpose.
나는 의도하지 않았어요. (I didn't intend to.)
— Unintentionally; inadvertently.
의도치 않게 그를 화나게 했다. (I unintentionally angered him.)
— As intended; according to one's intention.
모든 것이 의도대로 진행되었다. (Everything proceeded as intended.)
— It was intentional.
그의 사과는 의도적인 것이었다. (His apology was intentional.)
— To do ~ intentionally.
그는 의도적으로 말을 아꼈다. (He intentionally spoke little.)
— Intentional judgment.
그것은 의도적인 판단이 필요했다. (That required an intentional judgment.)
Idioms & Expressions
— To have a hidden intention; to have ulterior motives. This idiom implies that someone's actions or words have a deeper, often self-serving, intention that is not immediately apparent. It's closely related to the concept of '의도적' but focuses on the hidden aspect.
그가 그렇게 친절하게 구는 데는 분명 속셈이 있을 거야. (There must be a hidden intention behind his being so kind.)
Informal— To go according to plan. This idiom emphasizes that events unfolded as intended or planned, highlighting the success of intentional efforts.
다행히 모든 것이 계획대로 되었다. (Fortunately, everything went according to plan.)
Neutral— An unexpected event. This is the opposite of something being intentional or planned, highlighting randomness or surprise.
그것은 정말 뜻밖의 일이었다. (That was truly an unexpected event.)
Neutral— To make up one's mind; to resolve to do something. This phrase describes the act of forming an intention or decision, which is the precursor to an intentional action.
그는 이번에는 꼭 성공하겠다고 마음먹었다. (He made up his mind to succeed this time.)
Neutral— To do something on purpose. This is a very direct and common idiomatic expression that means to act intentionally.
너 일부러 그러는 거지? (You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?)
Informal— A calculated action. This implies that an action was carefully considered and planned, often with a specific purpose or outcome in mind.
그의 모든 말과 행동은 계산된 것이었다. (All his words and actions were calculated.)
Formal— There is no room for doubt; it is certain. This phrase is often used when an action is so clearly intentional that its deliberate nature is beyond question.
그것은 명백히 의도적인 범죄였다. 의심의 여지가 없다. (It was clearly an intentional crime. There is no room for doubt.)
Formal— A coincidence. This phrase describes events that happen at the same time by chance, the opposite of intentional coordination.
두 사람이 같은 날 생일이라는 것은 우연의 일치일 뿐이다. (It's just a coincidence that the two people have the same birthday.)
Neutral— Hidden meaning; underlying intention. Similar to '속셈,' it refers to a concealed purpose behind words or actions.
그 말에는 어떤 숨은 뜻이 있는 것 같다. (There seems to be some hidden meaning in that statement.)
Neutral— To encounter a hitch in the plan; for the plan to go awry. This signifies that an intentional plan did not unfold as intended, often due to unforeseen circumstances or external interference.
예상치 못한 문제로 계획에 차질이 생겼다. (Due to an unexpected problem, the plan encountered a hitch.)
NeutralWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'eye' (의 - ui, sounds like 'wee') looking at a 'door' (도 - do). You are deliberately looking at the door because you intend to go through it. The action of 'looking' is intentional. The '적' (jeok) ending makes it an adjective, like '적-like' or '적-ful'.
Visual Association
Picture a person carefully drawing a blueprint (representing '의도' - intention/plan) with a magnifying glass (representing focus and deliberation). The blueprint itself is a symbol of something being intentional and planned.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three of your daily actions as either '의도적' (intentional) or '우연적' (accidental). For example, 'I intentionally woke up early today' (나는 오늘 의도적으로 일찍 일어났다) vs. 'I accidentally spilled coffee' (나는 우연히 커피를 쏟았다).
Word Origin
The word '의도적이다' is derived from the Sino-Korean word '意圖' (ui-do), meaning 'intention' or 'purpose,' combined with the Korean suffix '-적' (-jeok), which forms adjectives, and the copula '-이다' (-ida). '意' (ui) means 'mind' or 'thought,' and '圖' (do) means 'plan' or 'scheme.' Therefore, '의도' literally means a 'plan of the mind.'
Original meaning: The core meaning revolves around a 'plan of the mind' or a 'thought-out purpose.'
Sino-Korean and Native KoreanCultural Context
While '의도적이다' itself is neutral, its application can be sensitive. Accusing someone of an 'intentional' negative action (e.g., '의도적인 모욕' - intentional insult) can be confrontational. Conversely, acknowledging an 'intentional' positive action (e.g., '의도적인 도움' - intentional help) can be highly appreciated. Context and tone are crucial.
In English-speaking cultures, 'intentionality' is also a key concept, particularly in philosophy, law, and psychology. The distinction between deliberate actions and accidents is fundamental. Phrases like 'mens rea' (guilty mind) in legal contexts highlight the importance of intent. The use of 'intentional' versus 'accidental' often determines accountability and moral judgment.
Summary
The Korean adjective '의도적이다' signifies that an action or behavior is not accidental but is performed with conscious intent or purpose. It's used to describe deliberate actions, whether they are positive or negative, and is crucial for understanding motivation and responsibility.
- Intentional, deliberate, done on purpose.
- Describes actions with conscious aim or plan.
- Not accidental; implies premeditation.
- Used in formal and informal contexts.
Related Content
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
