machination
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machinations
Secret, dishonest, or illegal actions, usually carried out by a group in order to achieve self-serving or harmful goals. The word is used almost exclusively in the plural and has a strongly negative connotation.
Die Journalisten deckten die dunklen Machenschaften des Konzerns auf.
The journalists uncovered the corporation's dark machinations.
The word is derived from the verb 'machen' (to make/do), but through the ending '-schaft' and its usage, it has acquired a strongly negative meaning. It does not simply refer to actions, but to secret, unfair actions.
Die Bürger protestierten gegen die undurchsichtigen Machenschaften der Stadtverwaltung.
The citizens protested against the city administration's non-transparent machinations.
This word is used almost exclusively in the plural ('die Machenschaften' (the machinations)). The singular form 'die Machenschaft' (the machination) is extremely rare and sounds unnatural.
Ein Enthüllungsbuch berichtet über die kriminellen Machenschaften der Mafia.
An exposé reports on the mafia's criminal machinations.
'Machenschaften' (machinations) is often combined with verbs such as 'aufdecken' (to uncover), 'verhindern' (to prevent), or 'verwickelt sein in' (to be involved in). Typical adjectives are 'dunkle' (dark), 'zwielichtige' (shady), or 'kriminelle' (criminal).
Der Detektiv war den zwielichtigen Machenschaften des Betrügers auf der Spur.
The detective was on the trail of the fraudster's shady machinations.
intrigue / plot
Both words refer to secret and dishonest conduct with a harmful aim. An Intrige highlights a deliberately deceptive plan against someone, while Machenschaften usually refers to several interconnected dishonest actions and is used almost exclusively in the plural. Use Intrige for the plan and Machenschaften for the activities.
Die Machenschaften der Gruppe sollten den Erfolg des Projekts verhindern.
The group's machinations were intended to prevent the project from succeeding.
Mit einer Intrige wollte sie ihren Kollegen aus dem Projekt drängen.
She wanted to use an intrigue to push her colleague out of the project.
