(Joy making a detailed strategy [Keikaku] vs. Joy marking a calendar [Yotei])“I plan to go to Japan.”
Is it 計画 (Keikaku) or 予定 (Yotei)?
In English, “Plan” covers both. But in Japanese, Keikaku is about the “How” (Strategy), and Yotei is about the “When” (Schedule). Let’s clear this up with Joy and Ken!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy is talking about her summer vacation.
今、どこに行くか 計画（けいかく） しています。
(I “plan/am scheduled” to go to Japan this summer! Now, I am “planning/strategizing” where to go.)
旅行の 計画 を立てるのは楽しいですよね。
出発（しゅっぱつ）はいつの 予定 ですか？
(Nice. Making a travel “plan/strategy” is fun. When is the “scheduled” departure?)
💡 Explanation
Think: “Blueprint” vs. “Calendar”.
Point 1: 計画 (Keikaku) = Strategy / Blueprint
Focus: Process & Effort (How?)
This implies thinking about the details, steps, budget, and methods to achieve a goal. It involves active “brain work.”
- 計画を 立てる。
(Make a plan / specific strategy.) - 都市（とし）計画。
(City planning / Urban design.)
Point 2: 予定 (Yotei) = Schedule / Expectation
Focus: Timeline & Future (When?)
This implies that a future event is fixed or expected. It is about the “date and time.” It sounds more neutral and objective.
- 今日の 予定は 何ですか？
(What is your schedule for today?) - 3時に終わる 予定です。
(It is scheduled/expected to finish at 3:00.)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 Joy’s Mistake
(Friend asks: “Do you have plans today?”)
❌ Wrong: はい、今日は 計画（けいかく） があります。
(This sounds like: “Yes, I have a STRATEGIC PROJECT today.” It’s too heavy and grand!)
✅ Right: はい、今日は 予定（よてい） があります。
(This simply means: “Yes, I have things to do / I am busy.”)
🔥 Practice Quiz
Tap to check the answer!
