Translation and Meaning of: 計画 - keikaku

The Japanese word 計画 [けいかく] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "plan" or "project," but it goes much further, reflecting important values of Japanese society, such as organization and predictability. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin and writing of the kanji to its everyday use and curiosities that make this word a key piece of vocabulary.

If you have ever wondered how the Japanese view planning or why this word appears so often in professional and academic contexts, you are in the right place. Here at Suki Nihongo, we have gathered accurate information to help you understand not only the translation but also the cultural depth behind 計画.

Meaning and writing of 計画

The word 計画 is composed of two kanjis: 計 (kei), which refers to calculation or measurement, and 画 (kaku), associated with drawing or outlining. Together, they form the idea of a "plan outlined with precision," something common in a culture that values anticipation of scenarios. It's no wonder that this term appears in contexts such as urban planning, work schedules, and even personal strategies.

In writing, it is important to note that the second kanji, 画, can also be read as "ga" in other contexts, but here it keeps the reading "kaku". This specific combination is fixed, with no variations in pronunciation, which makes it easier to memorize. For students, a helpful tip is to associate the radical of 計 (which includes the "speech" component) with the idea of "calculating words", while 画 reminds of a sketch – in other words, planning is like drawing with numbers.

Everyday use and cultural importance

In Japan, 計画 is not limited to schedules or task lists. It reflects a mindset that permeates from early childhood education to corporations. Phrases like 旅行の計画を立てる (ryokou no keikaku wo tateru – "make a travel plan") or プロジェクトの計画期間 (project no keikaku kikan – "project planning period") are common in everyday life. The word carries a connotation of method and control, differing from more informal terms like 予定 (yotei), which simply indicates "schedule."

Culturally, the appreciation of 計画 is linked to the concept of 準備 (junbi – preparation), considered a virtue in Japanese society. In companies, for example, detailed reports and meticulous schedules are the norm, not the exception. Even in mangas and dramas, characters who "fail in planning" (計画が狂う) often become a moral lesson, reinforcing how the word is intertwined with national values.

Translation curiosities and pitfalls

A common misunderstanding when translating 計画 into Portuguese is assuming that it always equates to "projeto." Although it can be used that way in contexts such as 研究計画 (kenkyuu keikaku – "research project"), in other cases "plano" or "estratégia" sound more natural. For example, 計画経済 (keikaku keizai) refers to "planned economy," not "projected economy." This nuance is crucial to avoid misunderstandings in conversations or texts.

Another interesting detail is that, unlike Portuguese, where "to plan" can be something spontaneous, in Japanese 計画 (keikaku) implies deliberation and clear stages. Even in animes, when a villain says 計画通り (keikaku doori – "according to the plan"), there is an emphasis on meticulous execution, almost Machiavellian. This semantic richness makes the word a fascinating study for those who want to go beyond the dictionary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 企画 (Kikaku) - Planning or project, especially in marketing or events contexts.
• プラン (Puran) - A plan, usually more informal or less structured than a formal project.
• 設計 (Sekkei) - Drawing or architectural design, more related to engineering and technical design.
• 計畫 (Keikaku) - Plan or strategy, often referring to a broader and more systematic planning.

計画

Romaji: keikaku
Kana: けいかく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: flat; project; timeline; scheme; program

Meaning in English: plan;project;schedule;scheme;program

Definition: Establish policies and procedures for the future.

Example Sentences - (計画) keikaku

See below some example sentences:

作業を始める前に計画を立てることが重要です。

Sagyō o hajimeru mae ni keikaku o tateru koto ga jūyō desu

It is important to do a plan before you start work.

It is important to plan before you start working.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 始める (hajimeru) - start
• 前に (mae ni) - before
• 計画 (keikaku) - plan
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 立てる (tateru) - make
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 重要 (jūyō) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

地図を見ながら旅行計画を立てる。

Chizu wo minagara ryokou keikaku wo tateru

Make a travel plan while looking at the map.

• 地図 (chizu) - map
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 見ながら (minagara) - while looking
• 旅行 (ryokou) - trip
• 計画 (keikaku) - planning
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 立てる (tateru) - make, create, establish

大体の計画は立てましたか？

Daitai no keikaku wa tatemasu ka?

Did you make an approximate plan?

Did you make a difficult plan?

• 大体 - means "in general" or "approximately".
• の - possessive particle.
• 計画 - means "plan" or "project".
• は - topic particle.
• 立てましたか - verb "立てる" in the affirmative past tense, which means "to make" or "to create".
• ？ - question mark.

彼は計画を崩すことができなかった。

Kare wa keikaku o kuzusu koto ga dekinakatta

He couldn't undo the plan.

He couldn't break the plan.

• 彼 (kare) - he (personal pronoun)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 計画 (keikaku) - Plan, project
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 崩す (kuzusu) - Knock down, dismantle, undo
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun, in this case, "action"
• が (ga) - Subject particle
• できなかった (dekinakatta) - Could not do it, was not able to.

彼は常に計画を乱す。

Kare wa tsuneni keikaku o midasu

He always disrupts the plans.

He always messes up the plan.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - Always
• 計画 (keikaku) - Plan
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 乱す (midasu) - Disturb, mess up

私は明日の会議で計画を述べる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita no kaigi de keikaku o noberu yotei desu

I plan to present the plan at tomorrow's meeting.

I intend to make a plan at tomorrow's meeting.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "tomorrow" belongs to "meeting"
• 会議 (kaigi) - Japanese noun meaning "meeting"
• で (de) - location particle that indicates where the action will take place
• 計画 (keikaku) - Japanese noun meaning "plan"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates what will be mentioned
• 述べる (noberu) - Japanese verb meaning "to mention"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "programming" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, which indicates the conclusion of the sentence

私は計画を見直す必要があると思います。

Watashi wa keikaku wo minaosu hitsuyou ga aru to omoimasu

I think I need to review my plan.

I think I need to review the plan.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 計画 (keikaku) - Japanese noun meaning "plan"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 見直す (minaosu) - Japanese verb meaning "to review" or "reconsider"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• ある (aru) - Japanese verb that means "to exist"
• と (to) - quotation particle that indicates what was thought or said
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"

私は彼女を計画に含めた。

Watashi wa kanojo o keikaku ni fukumeru

I included her in the plan.

I included her in the plan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating that "she" is the direct object of the action
• 計画 (keikaku) - noun that means "plan"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action directed toward a target or objective, in this case, "include in the plan"
• 含めた (hazumeta) - included

私たちは明日の計画を決める必要があります。

Watashitachi wa ashita no keikaku o kimeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to decide the plan for tomorrow.

We need to decide on tomorrow's plan.

• 私たち - 私たち
• 明日 - "明日"
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 計画 - "プラン" em japonês.
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 決める - "decidir" em japonês é 決定する (kettei suru).
• 必要 - "Necessário" in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• あります - "存在する" (sonzai suru)

私たちは計画を立てる必要があります。

Watashitachi wa keikaku o tateru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to make a plan.

We need to plan.

• 私たち - 「私たち」
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 計画 - 「プラン」
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 立てる - "To do" or "to create" in Japanese
• 必要 - "Necessário" in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• あります - "To exist" or "to have" in Japanese