Mean to do Meaning in English
expression
ˈmin/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈdu
MEEN-tuh-DOO
mˈiːn/ /tˈuː/ /dʉː
MEEN-too-DOO
Definition
To intend or plan to do something, even if you did not actually do it. It expresses what you wanted or planned, not what you did by accident.
Usage & Nuances
'Mean to do' is usually used to talk about intentions, especially when something did not happen as planned. It's common with apologies ('I didn't mean to...'). Do not confuse with 'mean doing', which has a different meaning. 'Mean to do' is neutral in formality.
Spanish: tener la intención de hacer - querer hacerPortuguese (BR): pretender fazer - ter a intenção de fazerPortuguese (PT): pretender fazer - ter intenção de fazerChinese (Simplified): 打算做 - 想要做Chinese (Traditional): 打算做 - 想要做Hindi: करना चाहना - करने का इरादा रखनाArabic: يَنوي أن يفعلBengali: ইচ্ছা করা - করার পরিকল্পনা করাRussian: намереваться сделать - планировать сделатьJapanese: 〜するつもりだ - 〜しようと思うVietnamese: dự định làm - có ý định làmKorean: 하려고 하다 - 할 생각이다Turkish: yapmayı kastetmek - yapmaya niyet etmekUrdu: کرنا چاہنا - کرنے کا ارادہ ہوناIndonesian: bermaksud melakukan - berniat melakukan
Example Sentences
I mean to do my homework tonight.
basic
Did you mean to do that?
basic
She didn't mean to do any harm.
basic
I meant to do the dishes, but I forgot.
natural
If you mean to do something, just say so.
natural
He didn't mean to do it on purpose.
natural