作戦

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 作戦 is read as さくせん and is a noun for a concrete plan or strategy chosen to achieve a goal.
• Basic usage: Use 作戦を決める to decide the plan and 作戦にする to adopt a particular method as the plan.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Goal and method
  • Strengthening defense or leaving markers is the strategy; winning or avoiding getting lost is the goal it serves.
• を決める and にする
  • The former decides which strategy to use, while the latter selects one method and makes it the strategy.