Translation guide
The English word "plan" covers a wide range of intentions, from casual ideas to formal strategies. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether you mean a concrete schedule, a project, a scheme, an intention, or a design. This guide helps you choose the right word or phrase for each situation.
Talking about what you intend to do at a specific time, like daily plans, appointments, or travel itineraries.
The most common word for a schedule or arrangement. It implies something fixed or decided.
明日の予定は何ですか？
What are your plans for tomorrow?
旅行の予定を立てる。
Make travel plans.
Loanword from English, used for a timetable or schedule, often in business or formal contexts.
今日のスケジュールを確認する。
Check today's schedule.
Expresses intention or plan to do something. More about personal resolve than a fixed schedule.
明日は早く起きるつもりだ。
I plan to get up early tomorrow.
A detailed proposal for achieving something, like a business plan, a study plan, or a strategic plan.
The standard word for a plan or project. Used for anything from a simple plan to a large-scale project.
新しい事業計画を発表した。
They announced a new business plan.
計画通りに進んでいる。
It's going according to plan.
Loanword from English, often used in marketing or casual contexts for a proposal or scheme.
A plan or project, especially in business, media, or events. Emphasizes the planning and proposal aspect.
A policy, guideline, or basic plan. Used for overarching directions rather than detailed steps.
A secret plan to do something, often something bad or clever.
A scheme or plot, often with a negative connotation.
彼の企みを見抜いた。
I saw through his plan/scheme.
A stratagem or trick; a clever plan to deceive or gain advantage.
A conspiracy or sinister plot.
What you have in mind to do; a mental plan.
Intention. Often used in the phrase 〜つもりだ (I plan to...).
行くつもりはなかった。
I had no plan to go.
Thought, idea, or plan. More general and can refer to an opinion or intention.
I think I will...; expresses a tentative plan or intention.
来年留学しようと思う。
I plan to study abroad next year.
A drawing or diagram showing how something will be made, like a floor plan or a plan of a building.
A blueprint or design drawing, especially for architecture or engineering.
家の設計図を引く。
Draw up the plans for a house.
A plan, drawing, or diagram, often technical.
Also used for floor plans or layouts, e.g., 間取りプラン (floor plan).
間取りのプランを選ぶ。
Choose a floor plan.
The action of making a plan.
To plan, to make a plan. The most direct verb form.
旅行を計画している。
I'm planning a trip.
To plan or propose (an event, project).
イベントを企画する。
Plan an event.
To schedule or plan something for a specific time.
会議を来週に予定している。
We plan to have the meeting next week.
To have the intention of doing something; to be planning to.
彼は来年帰国するつもりでいる。
He plans to return to his country next year.
予定 is for schedules and appointments (what you will do and when). 計画 is for projects and strategies (how you will achieve something). プラン is a casual loanword often used for proposals or travel plans, similar to 計画 but lighter.
明日の予定は空いています。
Tomorrow's schedule is free.
事業計画を立てる。
Make a business plan.
週末のプランは？
What's your plan for the weekend?
While プラン is understood, it can sound like marketing jargon or overly casual in formal writing. Stick to 計画 or 予定 in serious contexts.
In casual conversation, Japanese often omits the word for 'plan' entirely, using context and time expressions instead. For example, 'What's the plan for tomorrow?' can simply be '明日は？' (What about tomorrow?).
計画は失敗した。
The plan failed.
来年日本に行くつもりです。
I plan to go to Japan next year.
Discuss travel plans.
Come up with a plan for a new TV show.
会社の方針に従う。
Follow the company's plan/policy.
敵の策略にはまった。
We fell into the enemy's plan/trap.
陰謀説を信じる。
Believe in a conspiracy theory (a secret plan).
いい考えがある。
I have a good plan/idea.
Look at the machine's plans.