魂胆(こんたん)

こんたん
noun
scheme; plot; ulterior motive
personality
1. scheme; plot; ulterior motive; hidden agenda
A secret plan or calculated intention, usually with a selfish or dishonest purpose. Implies deliberate strategic thinking to achieve a hidden goal.
いったい何(なに)の魂胆(こんたん)があるんだ。
What on earth is your scheme?
彼(かれ)の魂胆(こんたん)は見(み)え透(す)いている。
His motives are completely transparent.
安(やす)く買(か)い叩(たた)いて高(たか)く売(う)るという魂胆(こんたん)だろう。
Their scheme is probably to buy low and sell high.

Always carries a negative nuance — the hidden plan is assumed to be selfish, dishonest, or underhanded. Originally composed of 魂(こん) (soul) + 胆(たん) (gall/liver), referring to the innermost thoughts and intentions. In modern usage, it focuses entirely on scheming rather than its original meaning of inner spirit.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 下心(したごころ): ulterior motive — often implies romantic/sexual interest; more personal and emotional than 魂胆(こんたん)
  • 企(たくら)み: scheme; plot — similar but slightly more literary
  • 思惑(おもわく): calculation; hidden motive — can be used neutrally in business contexts; less inherently negative
  • 陰謀(いんぼう): conspiracy — larger scale and more serious than 魂胆(こんたん)

Related Words

Compare: 下心(したごころ) (ulterior motive)
Compare: 企(たくら)み (scheme)
Compare: 思惑(おもわく) (calculation)
Compare: 陰謀(いんぼう) (conspiracy)
general
Added 2026.5.8 1:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
27000/27224_kontan