企て

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 企て, read くわだて, and it is the noun form derived from the verb 企てる.
• Basic usage: The basic sense of 企て is a plan made to achieve an aim; depending on context, it can carry the negative nuance of a scheme or plot.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A neutral plan or a harmful scheme
  • Both examples use the form 企て. It may neutrally name a project such as converting a warehouse, but it can also suggest concealed harmful intent such as deceiving a king.
• A theater conversion and a plot against a king
  • 古い倉庫を劇場に変える企てが始まりました。 — A plan to turn the old warehouse into a theater has begun.
  • 探偵は王をだます企てを事前に見破りました。 — The detective discovered the plot to deceive the king in advance.