阴谋 yīnmóu to conspire
to conspire; to plot; a conspiracy; a plot
How to remember 阴谋: 阴 cloudy (weather) + 谋 to plan = to conspire.
Characters
How it is used
- A plot / conspiracy - a secret scheme to harm - 揭穿他们的阴谋 (jiēchuān tāmen de yīnmóu) to expose their plot.
- Always negative and sinister; pairs with 阴谋诡计 (dark schemes and dirty tricks), 阴谋论 (conspiracy theory).
- Contrast the neutral 计划 (jìhuà, plan) and the more open 谋略 (móuè, strategy) - 阴谋 is covert and malicious.