Translation guide
The English word 'contriving' refers to planning or inventing something, often in a clever or artificial way. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, from neutral planning to negative scheming.
Expressing the act of coming up with a clever plan, method, or invention, often with a positive or neutral connotation.
The most common and natural way to say 'contrive' in the sense of devising a clever solution or method. It implies ingenuity and effort.
He contrived a new cooking method.
A more formal term for inventing or devising something, often used in technical or business contexts.
The engineer contrived a new system.
Literally 'to knit out', meaning to work out or devise a plan or method through effort. Slightly literary.
They contrived their own strategy.
Expressing the act of planning something in a secretive or dishonest way, often with a negative nuance.
The standard word for scheming or plotting something bad. It implies a secret, often malicious plan.
He is contriving something bad.
A more formal term for scheming or maneuvering, often used in political or business contexts.
They are contriving to seize power.
A literary expression meaning to resort to tricks or contrivances, often with a negative nuance of being overly cunning.
Expressing the idea of finding a way to accomplish something, often with limited resources or in a difficult situation.
A very common phrase meaning 'to manage somehow' or 'to contrive to do something'. It implies effort and resourcefulness.
He contrived to pass the exam.
Often used for managing time or money, meaning to contrive or make do with what you have.
She is contriving on a small income.
Specifically means to contrive to raise money or manage financially. Somewhat formal.
He contrived to raise the tuition money.
Expressing the act of making something up or fabricating, often with a nuance of artificiality or lack of naturalness.
Literally 'to produce/create', but can imply contriving something new or artificial. Neutral in tone.
He contrived a new excuse.
A formal term for fabrication, often used for documents, evidence, or news. Strongly negative.
They contrived evidence.
The English word 'contriving' covers a wide range of meanings. Do not assume a single Japanese word fits all contexts. Choose based on whether the nuance is clever invention, scheming, managing, or fabricating.
工夫する is for positive, clever contrivances (like inventing a gadget), while 企む is for negative, secret scheming (like plotting a crime). Using the wrong one can drastically change the meaning.
He contrived a new way to save money. (positive)
He contrived to take over the company. (negative)
He tried to escape by contriving every possible trick.
A colloquial term for fabricating or cooking up a story, excuse, etc. Strongly negative when used for lies.
He contrived that story.