阴谋

• Pinyin: yīn móu
• Hanzi breakdown: 阴 = 阝(hill) + 侌 (dark), meaning shade/hidden; 谋 = 讠(speech) + 某 (certain), meaning to plan

Meaning

Conspiracy; plot; scheme. A secret plan made by a group to do something harmful or illegal.

Carries a strongly negative connotation of secrecy and malicious intent. Common phrases: 阴谋诡计 (plots and schemes), 政治阴谋 (political conspiracy), 阴谋论 (conspiracy theory), 搞阴谋 (to plot). Often used in political, historical, and thriller contexts.

Examples

1. 这部电影讲的是一个政治阴谋，情节非常紧张刺激。 This movie is about a political conspiracy with a very suspenseful plot.
2. 他们的阴谋最终被揭露，所有参与者都受到了惩罚。 Their conspiracy was eventually exposed, and all participants were punished.
3. 网上流传着各种阴谋论，但大多数都经不起推敲。 Various conspiracy theories circulate online, but most don't hold up to scrutiny.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, crime, fiction

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 这是一场精心策划的阴谋。(This is a carefully planned conspiracy.)
• 他的阴谋被识破了。(His plot was discovered.)

Don't Say

• 我们阴谋去旅游吧 — 阴谋是贬义词，朋友间计划用'策划'或'商量'

Origin & History

Compound of 阴 (dark, hidden, yin) + 谋 (to plot, plan). Literally 'dark planning,' referring to secretive schemes done in the shadows.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal