Absicht v Zweck

The words Absicht and Zweck appear in the course, but they seem to mean much the same thing - purpose or intention. Is there any difference in the way they are used? I noticed that Langenscheid also gives cause as an additional meaning for Zweck.

Hi sfpugh,

While Absicht can be translated as "intention" or "purpose", Zweck has more than one meaning.

Purpose:
Das hat keinen Zweck = That has no purpose

Function/use:
Was ist der Zweck eines Buchs ? = What's the function of a book?

And then, cause:
Das dient einem guten Zweck = This serves a good cause

I hope this helps!

Lucia

Thank you, that's a great help.
And a new word dienen - actually rather useful as it explains words like Rettungsdienst