Word
潜入
Meaning in Englishinfiltration, sneaking in
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 潜入 mean? It denotes the act of secretly entering a place, often to observe, gather information, or operate undercover; used as a noun and as 潜入する (suru-verb).
Main meanings
- Covert entry into a location for observation, intelligence gathering, or surveillance
- The noun form for an infiltration operation in police, military, or investigative contexts
- Figurative use to describe undercover access to a person or group's environment
How to use it
Used as a noun or as 潜入する to form a suru-verb; common in formal writing, journalism, law enforcement, espionage contexts, and works of fiction; frequent collocations include 潜入捜査 and 潜入取材, signaling covert entry, undercover investigation, or undercover reporting.
Variants and close terms
- 侵入 shinnyū – intrusion, infiltration
- 潜入捜査 sen'nyū sōsa – infiltration investigation
- 潜入取材 sen'nyū shuzai – undercover reporting
Composition
- 潜 - hide, dive
- 入 - enter
- Combined meaning describes entering covertly or while hidden
Etymology
sen from 潜 and nyū from 入; 潜入 (sen'nyū) is a compound formed using on'yomi readings; the pronunciation consolidates into sen'nyū, with no kun'yomi used here (潜入 sen'nyū).
Word class
Noun, suru-verb (潜入する)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
購入
kounyuu
purchase, buy
N1
仕入れる
shiireru
to lay in stock, to replenish stock, to procure
N1
投入
tounyuu
throw, investment, making (an electrical circuit)
N1
導入
dounyuu
introduction, bringing in, leading in
N1
入手
nyuushu
obtaining, coming to hand
N1
入賞
nyuushou
winning a prize or place (in a contest
N1
入浴
nyuuyoku
bathe, bathing
N1
納入
nounyuu
payment, supply
N1
受け入れ
ukeire
receiving, acceptance