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目論む (もくろむ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

目論もくろむ

も

く

ろ

む

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

plan; scheme; plot; intend

Often implies a calculated, sometimes secretive or ambitious plan. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.

彼かれは会かい社しゃを辞やめて独どく立りつを目論もくろんでいる。
He is planning to quit his job and go independent.

敵てきは我われ々われの裏うらをかこうと目論もくろんでいた。

The enemy was scheming to outwit us.

Written forms

目論もくろむUsage49%
Standard kanji spelling.
もくろむUsage51%
Kana spelling is common in informal writing.

Kanji

目eye, class, look
論argument, discourse

Similar words

企くわだてる
企てる also means 'to plan/scheme', but often implies a more deliberate, sometimes large-scale or ambitious undertaking. 目論む can be more about personal, calculated intentions.
計けい画かくする
計画する is a neutral, formal term for 'to plan'. 目論む carries a nuance of personal calculation or scheming.

Etymology

Compound of 目 (eye, aim) and 論む (to argue, discuss), with the latter likely related to 論じる. The exact derivation is uncertain, but the combination suggests 'to aim and deliberate'.