1.
to devise, to plot, to scheme
To plan or arrange something in advance, especially something secretive or strategic. Often implies a hidden agenda or a carefully laid plan.
罠を仕組む。
To set a trap.
誰かが裏で仕組んだことだ。
Someone plotted this behind the scenes.
最初から仕組まれた計画だったらしい。
It seems it was a scheme planned from the very beginning.
2.
to set up, to construct (a mechanism or system)
To build or arrange a mechanism, device, or system so that it functions in a particular way.
時計の中を仕組む。
To construct the mechanism inside a clock.
ボタンを押すと音が鳴るように仕組んだ。
I set it up so that a sound plays when the button is pressed.
自動で水がまかれるように仕組んである。
It is set up so that water is sprinkled automatically.
CONJUGATION: 仕組む is a godan verb (む row). Te-form: 仕組んで. Passive: 仕組まれる.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 罠を仕組む (to set a trap)
- 陰謀を仕組む (to hatch a conspiracy)
- 仕組まれた事件 (a staged incident)
RELATED: The noun 仕組み (mechanism, system, structure) is derived from this verb and is extremely common.