Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “to plan” in Japanese. Planning is an essential part of everyday life, and knowing the appropriate vocabulary is crucial for effective communication. In this guide, we will cover formal and informal expressions, provide regional variations when necessary, and share numerous tips and examples to help you master this useful word. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “to Plan”
If you want to express the act of planning formally, you can use the following verbs and expressions:
- 計画する (けいかくする, keikaku suru) – This is the most commonly used term for “to plan” in a formal context. It covers various types of planning, such as making travel plans or organizing events. Example: 旅行を計画します (りょこうをけいかくします, Ryokou o keikaku shimasu) – “I will plan the trip.”
- 企画する (きかくする, kikaku suru) – This verb specifically refers to planning in the context of organizing projects or business-related activities. Example: 新製品のローンチを企画します (しんせいひんのろーんちをきかくします, Shinseihin no roonchi o kikaku shimasu) – “I will plan the launch of the new product.”
- 打ち合わせる (うちあわせる, uchiawaseru) – While not directly meaning “to plan,” this term refers to holding discussions or meetings to plan things out. Example: 明日の打ち合わせをします (あしたのうちあわせをします, Ashita no uchiawase o shimasu) – “We will have a meeting to plan for tomorrow.”
2. Informal Ways to Say “to Plan”
For more casual conversations or when speaking with friends, you can use the following expressions:
- 計画する (けいかくする, keikaku suru) – This term works in both formal and informal settings. However, in informal contexts, it’s common to drop the verb entirely and use only the noun form: 計画 (けいかく, keikaku). Example: 週末の計画は？(しゅうまつのけいかくは？, Shuumatsu no keikaku wa?) – “What are the plans for the weekend?”
- プランを立てる (ぷらんをたてる, puran o tateru) – This expression, literally meaning “to make a plan,” is frequently used in informal conversations. Example: 映画のプランを立てよう！ (えいがのぷらんをたてよう！, Eiga no puran o tateyou!) – “Let’s make a plan for the movie!”
- 予定を考える (よていをかんがえる, yotei o kangaeru) – While not directly translating to “to plan,” this phrase conveys the idea of considering or thinking about a schedule. Example: 来週の予定を考えてみよう (らいしゅうのよていをかんがえてみよう, Raishuu no yotei o kangaete miyou) – “Let’s think about the plans for next week.”
3. Tips and Regional Variations
When learning a language, it’s always intriguing to discover regional variations or unique ways of expressing certain words or phrases. Although “to plan” is predominantly expressed in the same way throughout Japan, there are slight variations in dialects and regional colloquialisms. Here are a few intriguing examples:
Kansai Dialect
In the Kansai region, including cities like Osaka and Kyoto, people often use the verb 策定する (さくていする, sakutei suru) instead of 計画する. Example: 夏休みの予定を策定しましょう！(なつやすみのよていをさくていしましょう！, Natsuyasumi no yotei o sakutei shimashou!) – “Let’s plan for the summer vacation!”
Hokkaido Dialect
In Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, people sometimes use the word きった（喫達） in a slang or casual context to mean “to plan.” Example: 明日のデートのきったが決まった！(あしたのでーとのきったがきまった！, Ashita no deeto no kitta ga kimatta!) – “We’ve decided on the plan for tomorrow’s date!”
General Tips
- Pay attention to the level of formality in your conversations. Formal situations typically require the use of verbs like 計画する or 企画する, while informal settings allow for more casual expressions.
- Active listening and observing native speakers will help you understand how to use these phrases appropriately.
- Practice using the verbs and expressions in various contexts to become more comfortable with them.
- Consider learning additional vocabulary related to planning, such as words for “schedule” (予定) or “agenda” (議題), to expand your language skills in this area.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so try to incorporate these expressions into your daily Japanese conversations. The more you use them, the more confidence you’ll gain!
To sum up, knowing how to say “to plan” in Japanese provides you with an invaluable skill for effective communication. Whether you choose formal expressions like 計画する or informal phrases like プランを立てる, mastering this vocabulary will undoubtedly enhance your Japanese language ability. Remember to consider regional variations if you encounter them and use the provided tips and examples to refine your usage. Keep learning and enjoy your journey to fluency!
