手口(てぐち)

てぐち
noun
method, trick, modus operandi
action
1. method, trick, modus operandi
A way of doing something, especially a method used in committing crimes or fraudulent acts. Carries a strongly negative connotation — almost always refers to criminal or dishonest methods.
犯人(はんにん)の手口(てぐち)が巧妙(こうみょう)だ。
The criminal's method is sophisticated.
詐欺(さぎ)の手口(てぐち)はどんどん新(あたら)しくなっている。
Fraud methods are constantly evolving.
前回(ぜんかい)の事件(じけん)と同(おな)じ手口(てぐち)で犯行(はんこう)が行(おこな)われた。
The crime was committed using the same method as the previous incident.

手口(てぐち) refers to a method or technique, almost exclusively in negative contexts — criminal methods, scams, or tricks. It is not used for neutral or positive methods.

Common collocations

Contrast with similar words

  • 手法(しゅほう): technique, method (neutral; used for art, research, etc.)
  • 手段(しゅだん): means, measure (neutral; broader term)
  • 手口(てぐち): trick, method (negative; crime or deception)

Related Words

Compare: 手法(しゅほう) (technique (neutral))
Compare: 手段(しゅだん) (means, measure (neutral))
Compare: 術策(じゅっさく) (stratagem)
general
Added 2026.2.22 19:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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