仕組む

• Reading: しくむ
• Romaji: shikumu
• Kanji breakdown: 仕 (shi/tsuka) — serve, do; 組 (so/ku) — assemble, construct
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.kɯ.mɯ/

Meaning

To devise; to plan; to set up; to plot. To arrange something behind the scenes, often with strategic intent.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb that implies deliberate planning or orchestration, often with a secretive or strategic nuance. Can be neutral (devising a system) or negative (plotting a scheme). The related noun 仕組み (mechanism, system) is extremely common.

Examples

1. 犯人は完璧な犯行を仕組んでいた。 The culprit had plotted the perfect crime.
2. この装置はうまく仕組まれている。 This device is cleverly engineered.
3. サプライズパーティーを仕組むのは大変だった。 Setting up a surprise party was a lot of work.

Usage Guide

Context: mystery, planning, systems

Tone: strategic

Origin & History

Compound of 仕 (to do) and 組む (to assemble, to construct). Literally means to do the work of putting together, evolving into the sense of devising or plotting.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal