Translation guide
The English verb 'conspire' means to secretly plan with others to do something harmful or illegal. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases depending on the nuance—whether it's a criminal plot, a secret scheme, or a figurative 'conspiring' of circumstances.
To secretly make plans with others to commit a crime or harmful act
The most direct and common translation for criminal conspiracy. Used in legal and formal contexts.
彼らは銀行強盗を共謀した。
They conspired to rob a bank.
To scheme or plot, often with a negative connotation. Can be used for conspiracies or intrigues.
彼は政府転覆を企てた。
He conspired to overthrow the government.
Literally 'to plot a conspiracy'. A common phrase for conspiring, especially in political or dramatic contexts.
その将軍はクーデターの陰謀を企てた。
The general conspired to stage a coup.
A formal, legal term for conspiracy or plotting. Rare in everyday speech.
容疑者たちは殺人を謀議したとされる。
The suspects are alleged to have conspired to commit murder.
To make secret plans with others, often for a surprise or scheme that may not be illegal
A neutral phrase meaning 'to secretly plan'. Suitable for non-criminal conspiracies like surprise parties.
彼らは上司のためにサプライズパーティーを密かに計画した。
They conspired to throw a surprise party for their boss.
To arrange or conspire beforehand, often implying a secret agreement. Used for coordinating actions secretly.
彼らは示し合わせたように同じ意見を言った。
They conspired to say the same opinion, as if by prior arrangement.
To conspire or collude, often with a negative nuance of ganging up for selfish reasons.
彼らは結託して私を仲間外れにした。
They conspired to exclude me from the group.
To say that events or factors combine to produce a particular result, often negative
Literally 'things pile up'. Used to express that multiple factors or events coincide, often leading to an outcome. Natural for figurative 'conspire'.
不運が重なって、試合に負けた。
Circumstances conspired against us, and we lost the game.
A fuller pattern: 'with X piling up, it resulted in Y'. Emphasizes the cumulative effect.
悪条件が重なって、プロジェクトは中止になった。
Adverse conditions conspired to cancel the project.
Literally 'X sides with/becomes an ally'. Used positively when things conspire in one's favor.
幸運が味方して、彼は成功した。
Fortune conspired to help him succeed.
When saying 'events conspired', do not directly translate 'conspire' as 共謀する. Instead, use patterns like ～が重なる or ～が重なって to express the idea of multiple factors combining.
共謀する specifically means conspiring with others (joint planning), while 企てる can be done alone or with others and focuses on the act of scheming. 共謀 is the legal term for conspiracy.