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腹に一物 (はらにいちもつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

腹はらに一いち物もつ

は

ら

に

い

ち

も

つ

Meanings

1

secret scheme; hidden agenda; trick up one's sleeve

A set phrase meaning someone has a hidden plan or ulterior motive. Often used in the pattern 腹に一物ある or 腹に一物持っている.

彼かれが急きゅうに親しん切せつになったのは、腹はらに一いち物もつある

に

違ちが

い

ない

。

He must have a hidden agenda, suddenly becoming so kind.

あの笑え顔がおの裏うらには腹はらに一いち物もつあると感かんじた。

I sensed there was a secret scheme behind that smile.

Kanji

腹abdomen, belly, stomach
一one, one radical (no.1)
物thing, object, matter

Related words

下した心ごころ
下心 is a more direct noun for 'ulterior motive' or 'secret intention', while 腹に一物 is a vivid set phrase emphasizing a hidden plan or trick.
企たくらみ
企み is a general noun for 'plot' or 'scheme', whereas 腹に一物 is an idiomatic expression focusing on the hidden nature of the plan.

Built from

腹はら+一いち物もつ

Etymology

Literally 'one thing in the belly', an idiomatic expression where 腹 (belly) represents one's inner thoughts or intentions, and 一物 (one thing) refers to a hidden plan or scheme. The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe someone with a concealed agenda.