Japanese word

思惑

Pronunciation

Romajiomowaku

Meaning

  • nounintentions

Example

計画は彼の思惑どおりに進みました。kei kaku wa kare no omo waku dō ri ni susu mi ma shi ta

The plan went as he intended.

Illustration for 思惑 (intentions)

More examples

彼は自分の思惑を隠して、慎重に話しました。kare wa ji bun no omo waku o kaku shi te shin chō ni hana shi ma shi ta

He hid his intentions and spoke carefully.

Core concept

Describes the course of events a person expects or intends, including the private aim behind that expectation.

Common phrases

  • 思惑どおりになるomo waku dō ri ni na ru

    turn out as intended

  • 思惑が外れるomo waku ga hazu re ru

    someone's intentions are thwarted

  • 思惑を見抜くomo waku o mi nu ku

    see through someone's intentions

  • 思惑を読むomo waku o yo mu

    read someone's intentions

  • 思惑を探るomo waku o sagu ru

    probe someone's intentions

Similar words

狙いnerai: The result or purpose that a person aims to achieve.
腹づもりharazumori: An informal term for a person's private intention or plan.
目論見mokuromi: A person's calculated plan or expectation for how events will unfold.
意図ito: A purpose or intention that guides a person's actions or expectations.

Definition in Japanese

ある人が実現を望み、または実現すると予想している事柄や、その背後にある意図。a ru hito ga jitsu gen o nozo mi ma ta wa jitsu gen su ru to yo sō shi te i ru koto gara ya so no hai go ni a ru i to

Word origin

思惑 (omowaku) is based on the classical noun おもわく (omowaku), from 思う (omou, "to think") with the noun-forming ending く (ku), and is conventionally written with 惑 (waku, "confusion").

Usage tips

  • 思惑 (omowaku) can sound more personal than a neutral prediction because it often points to what a particular person hopes, expects, or plans will happen.

Other meanings

  • expectationsnoun
  • calculationsnoun

Word lists with this word