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.
They are plotting to overthrow the government.
What are you plotting?
A more formal term for devising a plan or scheme, often used in political or business contexts.
He is secretly plotting to seize power.
Literally 'to attempt a conspiracy'. A strong expression for plotting a serious scheme.
The group plotted a terrorist attack.
A literary or old-fashioned verb meaning to plot or conspire. Often used in historical contexts.
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.
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.
Means 'to enter coordinates'. Used when plotting specific coordinates on a map or chart.
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.
He is plotting a new novel.
Literally 'to think about the plot/storyline'. A casual way to say plotting a story.
I'm plotting the next movie.
Uses the loanword 'plot' and means 'to create a plot'. Common among writers and in creative contexts.
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.
地図に現在地の点を打ってください。
Please plot your current location on the map.
Please plot the coordinates of each point.