intention

This word carries a sense of conscious deliberation and mental preparation. It describes the bridge between a vague desire and a concrete action, implying a goal that has been consciously set in the mind. While a wish is passive, an intention is active and directed. In legal or formal contexts, it often refers to the state of mind required to prove a crime or a contract, distinguishing between an accidental act and a purposeful one. It is more formal than saying "plan" and suggests a level of commitment or purpose that "hope" lacks.