Translation guide
The English word "plotting" can refer to creating a secret plan (often negative), marking points on a graph or map, or planning the storyline of a narrative. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To express the act of secretly planning something, often with a negative or conspiratorial connotation.
A common verb meaning to scheme or plot something bad. Often used for conspiracies or underhanded plans.
彼らは政府転覆を企んでいる。
They are plotting to overthrow the government.
何を企んでいるんだ？
What are you plotting?
A more formal term for devising a plan or scheme, often used in political or business contexts.
彼は密かに政権奪取を画策している。
He is secretly plotting to seize power.
Literally 'to attempt a conspiracy'. A strong expression for plotting a serious scheme.
そのグループはテロ攻撃の陰謀を企てた。
The group plotted a terrorist attack.
A literary or old-fashioned verb meaning to plot or conspire. Often used in historical contexts.
彼は王の暗殺を謀った。
He plotted the assassination of the king.
To express the action of drawing or marking points on a chart, graph, or map, often for analysis or navigation.
A loanword from English, commonly used in technical or academic contexts for plotting data points on a graph.
データをグラフにプロットしてください。
Please plot the data on the graph.
Literally 'to strike points'. A natural way to say plotting points on a graph or map, especially in everyday conversation.
地図に現在地の点を打ってください。
Please plot your current location on the map.
Means 'to enter coordinates'. Used when plotting specific coordinates on a map or chart.
各地点の座標を記入してください。
Please plot the coordinates of each point.
To express the act of devising the plot or storyline of a book, movie, or other narrative.
Means to conceive or plan the overall structure of a story. Commonly used by writers.
彼は新しい小説のプロットを構想している。
He is plotting a new novel.
Literally 'to think about the plot/storyline'. A casual way to say plotting a story.
次の映画の筋を考えているところです。
I'm plotting the next movie.
Uses the loanword 'plot' and means 'to create a plot'. Common among writers and in creative contexts.
まずはプロットを作らなければならない。
First, I have to plot the story.
The English verb 'plotting' in the sense of secret planning is not directly translated as 'プロットする'. That loanword is only used for graphs or stories. Use 企む (たくらむ) or similar verbs for scheming.