Translation guide
The political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli, emphasizing cunning, duplicity, and the use of any means to maintain power. In Japanese, this is typically expressed through loanwords or descriptive phrases.
Referring to the doctrine that political expediency is above morality, often associated with Machiavelli's 'The Prince'.
The standard loanword for Machiavellism, used in academic and political contexts.
Describing a person or action that is manipulative, scheming, and unscrupulous in achieving goals, not necessarily in politics.
Adjectival form meaning 'Machiavellian', used to describe cunning and manipulative behavior.
彼のマキャベリ的なやり方にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his Machiavellian ways.
Avoid directly translating 'Machiavellism' into Japanese as a single native word. The loanword マキャベリズム is the safest choice. Using terms like 権謀術数 may sound overly literary or archaic in casual conversation.
彼の政治手法はマキャベリズムそのものだ。
His political methods are pure Machiavellism.
A more explicit form combining the name with '主義' (doctrine/ism).
マキャベリ主義は目的のためには手段を選ばない考え方だ。
Machiavellism is a way of thinking that the end justifies the means.
A native Japanese compound meaning 'crafty political maneuvering' or 'Machiavellian tactics'. More literary and less directly tied to Machiavelli.
彼は権謀術数に長けた政治家だ。
He is a politician skilled in Machiavellian tactics.
Literally 'black-bellied', meaning scheming, crafty, or malicious. A common colloquial term for a person with hidden bad intentions.
あの人は腹黒いから気をつけて。
That person is Machiavellian, so be careful.
Means 'sly' or 'cunning', often used for someone who is clever in a dishonest way.
彼はずる賢くて、いつも人を出し抜く。
He's cunning and always outsmarts people.
A 'strategist' or 'schemer', implying a person who uses elaborate plans to manipulate situations.
彼は冷酷な策略家だ。
He is a ruthless schemer.