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.
いったい何の魂胆があるんだ。
What on earth is your scheme?
彼の魂胆は見え透いている。
His motives are completely transparent.
安く買い叩いて高く売るという魂胆だろう。
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 (soul) + 胆 (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:
- 魂胆が見え透いている: the motives are see-through/obvious
- 何の魂胆: what kind of scheme/ulterior motive
- 魂胆を見抜く: to see through someone's scheme
- 裏の魂胆: hidden agenda behind the scenes
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 下心: ulterior motive — often implies romantic/sexual interest; more personal and emotional than 魂胆
- 企み: scheme; plot — similar but slightly more literary
- 思惑: calculation; hidden motive — can be used neutrally in business contexts; less inherently negative
- 陰謀: conspiracy — larger scale and more serious than 魂胆