gut gemeint
Translation
well-intentioned, well-meant
Examples
Sein Ratschlag war gut gemeint, aber nicht hilfreich.
His advice was well-intentioned, but not helpful.
Das war sicher nur gut gemeint von ihm.
That was surely just well-meant of him.
Gut gemeint ist das Gegenteil von gut gemacht.
Well-meant is the opposite of well-done.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) is well-intentioned something is well-intentioned His advice was well-intentioned.
Similar Words
wohlwollend (benevolent); Antonym: böswillig (malicious)
Etymology
From 'gut' (good) + 'gemeint' (meant), the past participle of 'meinen' (to mean).
Memory Tips
This phrase often has a negative connotation, implying that the action was well-intentioned but the result was bad. 'It was well-meant, but...'