Word
Kana: あんない Romaji: annai Level: N4

案内

Meaning in English

guidance, information, 안내

Stroke order

Animated kanji stroke order

Sentence

Related sentences

Dictionary

Word context

What it means

案内 means the service or act of providing information or directions to help someone navigate a place, event, or process; it covers both indicating where to go and what to expect, typically in a polite, customer-oriented context.

Main meanings

  • Guidance and information to help navigate a place, event, or process.
  • An information desk, reception, or service that provides directions, schedules, or local details.
  • The act or capability of guiding someone, including escorting or leading a tour.

How to use it

Used in formal and service contexts to indicate providing directions or information; as a verb, 案内する, it means to guide or inform; common in travel, hospitality, events, and customer service; typical phrases include 案内します, 案内をお願いいたします.

Variants and close terms

  • ガイド gaido — a loanword for guide; used in travel contexts.
  • 案内役 anaiyaku — a person who guides others; a host or guide.
  • 導き michibiki — a more literary term for guidance, showing a direction.

Composition

  • 案: plan, proposal, idea
  • 内: inside, within

Etymology

Phonetic evolution: derived from on'yomi readings of 案 (an) and 内 (nai); the compound is pronounced annai with historical gemination between n and n.

Word class

Noun; commonly used as 案内, and can form 案内する to mean to guide or inform; forms a suru-verb in verbal construction.

Word

Related words by kanji and components

Kanji

Related kanji