intenciones

/in-ten-SYOH-nes/

intentions

A colorful illustration showing a long, straight path symbolized by an arrow pointing toward a large flag planted on a green hill, representing a goal or plan.

This illustration of a clear plan leading to a goal represents the 'intenciones' as general plans or aims.

intenciones(noun)

fB1

intentions

general plans or aims

purposes

goals or objectives

Also:

designs

formal plans

📝 In Action

Mis intenciones son viajar por todo el continente el próximo año.

My intentions are to travel across the entire continent next year.

¿Cuáles son tus intenciones con este proyecto de ley?

What are your purposes for this bill/law project?

Le pregunté directamente sobre sus intenciones.

I asked him directly about his intentions.

Word Connections

Synonyms

propósitos (aims, goals)
planes (plans)

Antonyms

descuidos (oversights)

Common Collocations

tener buenas intenciones – to have good intentions
declarar las intenciones – to state one's intentions

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural in this Sense

Even though the singular 'intención' exists, we usually talk about aims or motives in the plural 'intenciones' when discussing general plans or desires.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular for General Aims

Mistake: "Mi intenciónes es viajar."

Correction: Mis intenciones son viajar. (We use the plural noun 'intenciones' and the plural verb 'son').

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Con' (With)

A very common construction is '¿Con qué intenciones...?' (With what intentions...?), which asks about the motive behind an action.

A friendly cartoon fox offering a basket of apples with one hand, while subtly hiding a shiny gold coin behind its fluffy tail with the other, illustrating a hidden motive.

The hidden gold coin behind the fox illustrates the 'intenciones' as underlying, often hidden, motives for an action.

intenciones(noun)

fB2

motives

underlying reasons for an action, often hidden

Also:

ulterior motives

when used with adjectives like 'ocultas'

📝 In Action

El camino al infierno está empedrado de buenas intenciones.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. (A common proverb)

Sus intenciones ocultas eran obtener el control de la empresa.

His hidden motives were to gain control of the company.

Word Connections

Synonyms

motivos (reasons, motives)
fines (ends, objectives)

Common Collocations

malas intenciones – bad intentions/motives
ocultar las intenciones – to hide one's motives

Idioms & Expressions

con toda la intención – on purpose, deliberately

💡 Grammar Points

The Meaning of 'Buenas Intenciones'

In Spanish, saying someone has 'buenas intenciones' often implies that the results of their actions might still be negative, similar to the English proverb about the road to hell.

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking About Motives

When you suspect someone has a hidden agenda, you can ask, '¿Cuáles son tus verdaderas intenciones?' (What are your true intentions?)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: intenciones

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'intenciones' to refer to a person's hidden motives?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

intención(intention (singular)) - noun

intencional(intentional) - adjective

intencionadamente(intentionally, deliberately) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'intenciones' and 'propósitos'?

'Intenciones' usually refers to the internal desire or plan behind an action (the 'why'). 'Propósitos' often refers to a more defined, formal goal or resolution (the 'what'), especially a moral or serious one.

Is 'intenciones' usually positive or negative?

It is neutral, but context often makes it lean one way. If used alone, speakers often assume you are questioning the person's 'good faith.' If you want to be clear, always use an adjective: 'buenas intenciones' (good) or 'malas intenciones' (bad).