Translation guide
The English word "plot" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the main ones: a secret plan, the storyline of a story, a piece of land, and plotting data on a graph. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
To express a secret plan, often with a negative connotation, like a scheme or conspiracy.
The most common and direct translation for a secret plot or conspiracy. Can be used in both formal and casual contexts.
彼らは政府転覆の陰謀を企てていた。
They were plotting to overthrow the government.
それは陰謀だと思う人もいる。
Some people think it's a plot.
A scheme or plot, often with a cunning or sneaky nuance. Slightly less formal than 陰謀.
彼の企みは失敗に終わった。
His plot ended in failure.
A wicked scheme or plot. Emphasizes the malicious intent.
彼らは悪巧みをしている。
They are hatching a plot.
A stratagem or plot, often used in political or military contexts. More formal and literary.
敵の策謀を見破った。
We saw through the enemy's plot.
To refer to the sequence of events in a narrative.
The most common word for the plot or storyline of a story. Can also mean 'logic' or 'reason' in other contexts.
この小説は筋が複雑だ。
This novel has a complex plot.
映画の筋を簡単に説明してください。
Please briefly explain the plot of the movie.
A loanword from English, commonly used in literary or film criticism. Sounds slightly more technical.
Often used interchangeably with 'plot', but can also mean the overall story. Very common in casual conversation.
Literally 'the thread of the story', a natural phrase for plot.
話の筋がわからなくなった。
I lost track of the plot.
To refer to a designated area of land, such as for building or farming.
A plot of land, especially one that is divided or designated for a specific purpose. Commonly used in real estate.
彼は家を建てるために小さな区画を買った。
He bought a small plot of land to build a house.
General word for land or a plot of land. Can be used broadly.
この土地は誰のものですか？
Who owns this plot of land?
A plot of land for a building, often used for the grounds of a house or facility.
One plot or lot, emphasizing a single unit of land division.
この一区画は駐車場になる予定だ。
This plot is going to become a parking lot.
To describe the action of drawing or marking data points on a chart.
The most direct translation, using the loanword as a verb. Common in technical contexts.
データをグラフにプロットしてください。
Please plot the data on a graph.
Literally 'to place points', a natural way to say plotting points on a graph.
グラフに点を打って、線で結んでください。
Plot the points on the graph and connect them with a line.
To draw or plot, often used in computer graphics or mapping. More formal.
このソフトは座標を自動的に描画します。
This software automatically plots the coordinates.
陰謀 (conspiracy) and プロット (story plot) are completely different. Using 陰謀 for a movie plot would sound like you're talking about a conspiracy within the story, not the storyline itself.
筋 (すじ) is the most native Japanese word for plot and is widely understood. プロット is a loanword often used in academic or critical contexts. ストーリー is more casual and can refer to the overall story, not just the plot structure.
この映画のプロットはよくできている。
The plot of this movie is well-constructed.
ストーリーが面白い。
The plot is interesting.
A new gymnasium was built on the school plot.