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権謀術数 (けんぼうじゅっすう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
Machiavellian scheming ; wiles and trickery ; political cunning
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Refers to the use of crafty strategies, manipulation, and deceitful tactics, especially in politics or power struggles. Often carries a negative connotation of underhandedness.
権けん 謀ぼう 術じゅっ 数すう を 巡めぐ ら せ て ライバル を 蹴け 落お とす 。
They use every trick in the book to bring down their rivals.
Kanji 権 authority, power, rights 謀 conspire, cheat, impose on Similar words 策さく 略りゃく 策略 is a more general term for 'strategy' or 'trick', not necessarily implying the deep, systematic cunning of 権謀術数.
陰いん 謀ぼう 陰謀 means 'conspiracy' or 'plot', focusing on secret plans, while 権謀術数 emphasizes the artful, manipulative methods used.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 権 (power), 謀 (plot), 術 (technique), and 数 (calculation), literally meaning 'power-plotting techniques and calculations'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it encapsulates the idea of using every possible scheme to gain or maintain power.
