Intention in Different Languages
Discover 'Intention' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'intention' holds great significance in our daily lives, often serving as the driving force behind our actions and decisions. It represents our purpose, goal, or objective, and understanding someone's intention can provide valuable insights into their motivations and behavior. This cultural importance extends across the globe, making the translation of 'intention' in different languages a fascinating exploration of language and culture.
Throughout history, the concept of intention has played a crucial role in various philosophical, spiritual, and legal contexts. For instance, in many Eastern philosophies, setting a positive intention is believed to attract favorable outcomes, while in legal frameworks, determining the intention behind a crime can significantly impact the outcome of a trial.
Given its universal relevance, it's no surprise that the word 'intention' has been translated into a wide range of languages, each with its own unique cultural and linguistic nuances. Here are just a few examples:
Intention
Intention in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | bedoeling | ||
| In its earlier form 'bedoeling' was used exclusively for 'purpose' or 'aim', but today the meaning 'intention' is more prevalent. | |||
| Amharic | ዓላማ | ||
| The word "ዓላማ" can also mean "aim", "goal", or "objective" in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | niyya | ||
| In Hausa, 'niyya' is also a term used in religious contexts to denote sincerity or purity of intention. | |||
| Igbo | ebumnuche | ||
| "Ebumnuche" in Igbo also means "thought" or "mind," reflecting the cultural view of intention as intertwined with cognition and mental processes. | |||
| Malagasy | fikasana | ||
| The word 'fikasana' is also used to refer to the act of setting or establishing something. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | cholinga | ||
| Cholinga's other meanings include 'the act of aiming at', 'an objective', 'a target', and 'a desire' | |||
| Shona | chinangwa | ||
| The word 'chinangwa' can also mean 'mind' or 'consciousness' in Shona. | |||
| Somali | ujeedo | ||
| "Ujeedo" is related to "u" (to), "jihe" (thing), and "u jecel" (to like). | |||
| Sesotho | maikemisetso | ||
| The word maikemisetso derives from the root verb "-ikemisa" (to intend), and also has the connotation of "aimed at" or "intended for". | |||
| Swahili | nia | ||
| In some dialects, "nia" additionally means "faith" and "belief." | |||
| Xhosa | injongo | ||
| The word 'injongo' has a deeper meaning, referring to the inner core of a person and their true purpose in life. | |||
| Yoruba | aniyan | ||
| The word "aniyan" also means "purpose", "plan", or "goal" in Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | inhloso | ||
| The Zulu word 'inhloso' also means 'purpose' or 'aim'. | |||
| Bambara | ŋaniya | ||
| Ewe | nu ɖoɖo | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umugambi | ||
| Lingala | likanisi | ||
| Luganda | ekigendererwa | ||
| Sepedi | maikemišetšo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | tirimpɔ | ||
Intention in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | الهدف | ||
| The Arabic word "الهدف" can also mean "target" or "goal". | |||
| Hebrew | מַטָרָה | ||
| The noun מַטָרָה also means "target", as in archery, or "goalposts", as on a soccer field. | |||
| Pashto | اراده | ||
| The Pashto word "اراده" comes from the Arabic word "إرادة", which also means "will" or "determination." | |||
| Arabic | الهدف | ||
| The Arabic word "الهدف" can also mean "target" or "goal". | |||
Intention in Western European Languages
| Albanian | qëllimi | ||
| In Albanian, the word "qëllimi" has the connotation of "aimed at" or "directed towards". | |||
| Basque | asmoa | ||
| Basque “asmoa” is derived from the noun “asmo” meaning “purpose”, and is cognate with the Proto-Basque word “*asmo” meaning “intention” or “desire”. | |||
| Catalan | intenció | ||
| Intenció derives from the Latin "intentio," which also means "purpose," "design," or "plan." | |||
| Croatian | namjera | ||
| The word "namjera" can also mean "purpose", "aim" or "plan" | |||
| Danish | hensigt | ||
| Danish word "Hensigt" can also be translated to "consideration" or "regard". | |||
| Dutch | voornemen | ||
| "Voornemen" is also a nautical term meaning "to propose a course of action". | |||
| English | intention | ||
| The word 'intention' originally meant 'a stretching out', and still retains this sense in the term 'muscle tension'. | |||
| French | intention | ||
| "Intention" in French can also refer to a legal document that specifies the terms of an agreement or obligation. | |||
| Frisian | bedoeling | ||
| In addition to "intention," the Frisian word "bedoeling" can also mean "motive," "purpose," or "reason." | |||
| Galician | intención | ||
| The Galician word "intención" also refers to a "will" or "testament." | |||
| German | absicht | ||
| The word "Absicht" is derived from the Middle High German word "abe sehen", meaning "to look away from"} | |||
| Icelandic | ásetningur | ||
| The Icelandic word "ásetningur" can also refer to a plan, or purpose. | |||
| Irish | rún | ||
| Rún can also mean 'mystery,' possibly originating from its sense of 'secret' or 'private thought'. | |||
| Italian | intenzione | ||
| In Italian, the word "intenzione" can also refer to an "intentionally committed wrong or sinful action." | |||
| Luxembourgish | absicht | ||
| Maltese | intenzjoni | ||
| intenzjoni in Maltese comes from the Italian word intenzione, which itself comes from the Latin word intentio, meaning "stretching toward". | |||
| Norwegian | intensjon | ||
| Etymology and alternate meanings of 'intensjon' in Norwegian include 'concentration,' 'focus,' and 'tensity'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | intenção | ||
| The word "intenção" originally referred to "the action of stretching" and "moral strength". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | rùn | ||
| In addition to "intention," "rùn" can also mean "desire," "wish," "will," or "purpose." | |||
| Spanish | intención | ||
| The word "intención" comes from Latin "intentio", meaning "to stretch out" or "to direct toward". | |||
| Swedish | avsikt | ||
| The word 'avsikt' is derived from the Old Norse "ásetja", meaning 'to set out' or 'to intend'. | |||
| Welsh | bwriad | ||
| The Welsh word 'bwriad' has been linked to the Proto-Celtic *wri- 'to strive' or 'to desire', but its ultimate origins remain uncertain. | |||
Intention in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | намер | ||
| The word "намер" in Belarusian has a dual meaning of "intention" and "mind". | |||
| Bosnian | namjera | ||
| The word "namjera" is derived from the Slavic root "namjeriti" which also means "to think" and "to plan". | |||
| Bulgarian | намерение | ||
| The word " намерение " can also mean "purpose" or "plan". | |||
| Czech | záměr | ||
| The word "záměr" also shares a root with "mysl" (thought), and thus implies a conscious purpose. | |||
| Estonian | kavatsus | ||
| Kavatsus originates from the Proto-Finnic term *kawota- that means "to plan, to intend". | |||
| Finnish | tarkoitus | ||
| Tarkoitus also means 'target' in military context, similar to 'objective' in English | |||
| Hungarian | szándék | ||
| 'Szándék' in Hungarian originally meant 'will, desire, aim' | |||
| Latvian | nodomu | ||
| The word also appears in a less common phrase “bez nodomām”, meaning “without the intention”. | |||
| Lithuanian | intencija | ||
| The word "intencija" can also mean "purpose", "aim", or "goal". | |||
| Macedonian | намера | ||
| The word 'намера' comes from the Proto-Slavic word '*naměriti sę*', meaning 'to intend' or 'to propose'. | |||
| Polish | zamiar | ||
| Zamiar shares the same root word with "zamiatać," meaning "to sweep," suggesting that an intention can be swept away or changed easily. | |||
| Romanian | intenție | ||
| The word "intenție" in Romanian is derived from the Latin word "intentio" which means "direction, aim, or design." | |||
| Russian | намерение | ||
| The word "намерение" is related to the word "намек" (hint) and is used to describe an idea or plan that is not openly expressed. | |||
| Serbian | намера | ||
| The Serbian word "намера" (intention) also means "aim"} | |||
| Slovak | zámer | ||
| The word 'zámer' also means 'intention' in Czech. | |||
| Slovenian | namen | ||
| The word 'namen' is derived from the Proto-Slavic 'namь', meaning 'purpose' or 'meaning'. | |||
| Ukrainian | намір | ||
| The word "намір" can also be used to describe the goal or purpose of an action or decision. | |||
Intention in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | অভিপ্রায় | ||
| The word "অভিপ্রায়" in Bengali can also mean a plan or purpose, and is derived from Sanskrit. | |||
| Gujarati | હેતુ | ||
| "હેતુ" is also used to denote reason, cause, purpose, object, view, aim, end, design, motive, or goal, etc. | |||
| Hindi | इरादा | ||
| Hindi इरादा ('iraadā'), from Persian إرَٰدة 'irāda, means 'resolve, intention, plan, will, decision, determination, intention, purpose'. | |||
| Kannada | ಉದ್ದೇಶ | ||
| ಉದ್ದೇಶ is a noun in Kannada which refers to a purpose, aim, or intention. This word is derived from the Sanskrit word ಉद्दिश्य, which means "to aim at". | |||
| Malayalam | ഉദ്ദേശം | ||
| ഉദ്ദേശം (Uddesham) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'ud-diś' meaning 'to indicate or appoint'. | |||
| Marathi | हेतू | ||
| "हेतू" in Marathi shares the same Sanskrit root as "reason" in English, signifying a logical cause or purpose. | |||
| Nepali | मनसाय | ||
| The word मनसाय ('manasaya') in Nepali is derived from the Sanskrit word 'manas' meaning 'mind', and refers to the purpose or intention behind an action or event. | |||
| Punjabi | ਇਰਾਦਾ | ||
| The word "ਇਰਾਦਾ" (iraada) also means "determination," indicating the firmness and resolve of an intention. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | අභිප්රාය | ||
| Tamil | நோக்கம் | ||
| Telugu | ఉద్దేశం | ||
| ఉద్దేశం (Uddēśam) can also mean 'a desire', 'a wish', 'a hope', 'an expectation', or 'a goal'. | |||
| Urdu | نیت | ||
| The Urdu word "نیت" (niyyat) is derived from the Arabic word "نية" (niyyah), which also means "intention". It can also refer to a vow or promise. | |||
Intention in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 意向 | ||
| The character 意 is composed of a heart radical, a phonetic, and an arrow or spear; thus it originally meant 'to indicate something to someone'. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 意向 | ||
| The Chinese word "意向" also means "tendency" or "trend". | |||
| Japanese | 意図 | ||
| 意図 (ito), 'intention,' derives from the notion of 'heart' and 'mind,' as it was once written as '心緒.' | |||
| Korean | 의향 | ||
| The word "의향" can also refer to one's will, desire, or inclination. | |||
| Mongolian | зорилго | ||
| Зорилго comes from the verb "зорих" meaning "to seek" or "to strive". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ရည်ရွယ်ချက် | ||
Intention in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | niat | ||
| Niat is also used in some contexts to refer to a religious pledge or vow. | |||
| Javanese | karsa | ||
| The word "karsa" is derived from the Sanskrit word "kṛṣi", meaning "to work" or "to act". | |||
| Khmer | ចេតនា | ||
| The word "ចេតនា" in Khmer can also mean "purpose", "aim", or "objective". | |||
| Lao | ຈຸດປະສົງ | ||
| Its root is found in Sanskrit and Pali, where it meant "aim" or "object. | |||
| Malay | niat | ||
| The word "niat" also means "heart" or "will" in Malay, reflecting the idea that intention is rooted in the innermost self. | |||
| Thai | ความตั้งใจ | ||
| The word "intention" comes from the Latin word "intendere," meaning "to stretch out," and is related to the words "tension" and "intend." | |||
| Vietnamese | ý định | ||
| "ý định" also means "a plan or purpose" | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | intensyon | ||
Intention in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | niyyət | ||
| The word "niyyət" also means "aim", "purpose", or "desire" in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | ниет | ||
| The Kazakh word "ниет" is derived from the Persian word "ният" and can also mean "desire" or "aim" | |||
| Kyrgyz | ниет | ||
| In Kyrgyz, the word “ниет” originated from the Arabic word “نية” meaning “to direct” and also means “desire” or “will” in Kyrgyz. | |||
| Tajik | ният | ||
| The word "ният" also has a connotation of "wish" or "desire". | |||
| Turkmen | niýet | ||
| Uzbek | niyat | ||
| Niyat (نية) is an Arabic word, common in Farsi and Urdu, and it means the intention, or the aim of doing something. | |||
| Uyghur | نىيەت | ||
Intention in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | manao | ||
| The Hawaiian word "manao" originally meant "thought" and is related to the word "mana" (spiritual power). | |||
| Maori | koronga | ||
| In pre-European Māori society, koronga was also referred to as 'mana' (prestige or authority) | |||
| Samoan | faʻamoemoe | ||
| The word "faʻamoemoe" in Samoan can also refer to "aspiration" or "expectation". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | balak | ||
| "Balak" also means "poem" in Filipino, stemming from its Sanskrit root meaning "speech". | |||
Intention in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | kunki | ||
| Guarani | potapy | ||
Intention in International Languages
| Esperanto | intenco | ||
| Originating from Middle French "entente," the word "intenco" also means "intelligence" and "purpose." | |||
| Latin | intentio | ||
| "Intentio" can also mean "endeavor" or "strain". | |||
Intention in Others Languages
| Greek | πρόθεση | ||
| The word "πρόθεση" also means "preposition" in Greek, referring to its position before a noun or verb. | |||
| Hmong | tswv yim | ||
| The Hmong word "tswv yim" can also refer to a person's will or determination. | |||
| Kurdish | nêt | ||
| The word "nêt" is a loanword from Persian and also means "purpose, aim, or objective" in Kurdish. | |||
| Turkish | niyet | ||
| The word 'niyet' is derived from the Arabic word 'niyya' meaning 'will' or 'purpose'. | |||
| Xhosa | injongo | ||
| The word 'injongo' has a deeper meaning, referring to the inner core of a person and their true purpose in life. | |||
| Yiddish | כוונה | ||
| In Yiddish, the word "כוונה" also has the meaning of "purpose" or "aim". | |||
| Zulu | inhloso | ||
| The Zulu word 'inhloso' also means 'purpose' or 'aim'. | |||
| Assamese | অভিপ্ৰায় | ||
| Aymara | kunki | ||
| Bhojpuri | इरादा | ||
| Dhivehi | ނިޔަތް | ||
| Dogri | इरादा | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | intensyon | ||
| Guarani | potapy | ||
| Ilocano | panggep | ||
| Krio | plan | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | نیاز | ||
| Maithili | आशय | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄꯥꯡꯊꯣꯛꯀꯦ ꯈꯟꯕ | ||
| Mizo | tumlawk | ||
| Oromo | yaada | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ | ||
| Quechua | umanchay | ||
| Sanskrit | मति | ||
| Tatar | ният | ||
| Tigrinya | ሓሳብ | ||
| Tsonga | tiyimisela | ||