intrigue / plot
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intrigue
A treacherous, secret plan intended to harm someone or achieve a goal through deception and cunning.
Er wurde Opfer einer Intrige, die von seinen Konkurrenten gesponnen wurde.
He became the victim of an intrigue spun by his competitors.
There is a very typical verb for planning an intrigue: 'eine Intrige spinnen' (to spin an intrigue). Alternatively, 'eine Intrige schmieden' (to forge an intrigue) is also used.
Hinter den Kulissen spann der Minister eine Intrige gegen seinen Rivalen.
Behind the scenes, the minister spun an intrigue against his rival.
When someone is harmed by an intrigue, people often say that this person 'Opfer einer Intrige wird' (becomes the victim of an intrigue) or 'einer Intrige zum Opfer fällt' (falls victim to an intrigue).
Die junge Managerin wurde Opfer einer Intrige und verlor ihren Job.
The young manager became the victim of an intrigue and lost her job.
You can recognize this meaning from the context: when a 'Roman' (novel), 'Drama' (drama/play), 'Film' (film), or the 'Handlung' (plot/action) is mentioned, it refers to the structure of the story and not to a real, malicious plan.
In Shakespeares Dramen spielt die politische Intrige oft eine zentrale Rolle.
In Shakespeare's dramas, political intrigue often plays a central role.
game / play
'das Spiel' and 'die Intrige' can both mean a planned, skillful action between people. The difference is: 'Intrige' is always secret and treacherous, and it is usually meant to harm someone. 'Spiel' is broader in this meaning and can describe a strategic or manipulative situation, but it does not have to be so clearly malicious. Learners may confuse the words when power, tricks, or secret plans are involved. If you mean a secret plan against someone, 'Intrige' is more precise.
Die Intrige gegen den neuen Chef wurde erst nach einigen Wochen bekannt.
The intrigue against the new boss only became known after a few weeks.
Nach dem Streit verstand Maria das Spiel ihrer Kollegen nicht mehr.
After the argument, Maria no longer understood her colleagues' game.