Translation guide
The English word 'contriving' refers to planning or inventing something, often in a clever or artificial way. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, from neutral planning to negative scheming.
Expressing the act of coming up with a clever plan, method, or invention, often with a positive or neutral connotation.
The most common and natural way to say 'contrive' in the sense of devising a clever solution or method. It implies ingenuity and effort.
彼は新しい調理法を工夫した。
He contrived a new cooking method.
A more formal term for inventing or devising something, often used in technical or business contexts.
エンジニアが新しいシステムを考案した。
The engineer contrived a new system.
Literally 'to knit out', meaning to work out or devise a plan or method through effort. Slightly literary.
彼らは独自の戦略を編み出した。
They contrived their own strategy.
Expressing the act of planning something in a secretive or dishonest way, often with a negative nuance.
The standard word for scheming or plotting something bad. It implies a secret, often malicious plan.
彼は何か悪いことを企んでいる。
He is contriving something bad.
A more formal term for scheming or maneuvering, often used in political or business contexts.
彼らは政権奪取を画策している。
They are contriving to seize power.
A literary expression meaning to resort to tricks or contrivances, often with a negative nuance of being overly cunning.
彼はあらゆる策を弄して逃げようとした。
He tried to escape by contriving every possible trick.
Expressing the idea of finding a way to accomplish something, often with limited resources or in a difficult situation.
A very common phrase meaning 'to manage somehow' or 'to contrive to do something'. It implies effort and resourcefulness.
彼はなんとかして試験に合格した。
He contrived to pass the exam.
Often used for managing time or money, meaning to contrive or make do with what you have.
彼女は少ない収入でやりくりしている。
She is contriving on a small income.
Specifically means to contrive to raise money or manage financially. Somewhat formal.
彼は学費を工面した。
He contrived to raise the tuition money.
Expressing the act of making something up or fabricating, often with a nuance of artificiality or lack of naturalness.
Literally 'to produce/create', but can imply contriving something new or artificial. Neutral in tone.
彼は新しい言い訳を作り出した。
He contrived a new excuse.
A formal term for fabrication, often used for documents, evidence, or news. Strongly negative.
彼らは証拠を捏造した。
They contrived evidence.
The English word 'contriving' covers a wide range of meanings. Do not assume a single Japanese word fits all contexts. Choose based on whether the nuance is clever invention, scheming, managing, or fabricating.
工夫する is for positive, clever contrivances (like inventing a gadget), while 企む is for negative, secret scheming (like plotting a crime). Using the wrong one can drastically change the meaning.
彼は新しい節約法を工夫した。
He contrived a new way to save money. (positive)
彼は会社を乗っ取ろうと企んだ。
He contrived to take over the company. (negative)
A colloquial term for fabricating or cooking up a story, excuse, etc. Strongly negative when used for lies.
彼はその話をでっち上げた。
He contrived that story.