魂胆

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 魂胆, read こんたん, is a noun for an intention or scheme concealed behind visible behavior, usually viewed with suspicion.
• Basic usage: Suspecting such a motive appears in 魂胆がある, while detecting it appears in 魂胆を見抜く.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Suspicion and detection
  • ありそう only infers that a motive exists, whereas 見抜く says that the hidden intent has been seen through.
• Not a neutral purpose
  • The word suggests a concealed calculation or scheme, rather than simply naming an ordinary goal.