暗号

• Reading: あんごう
• Romaji: ango
• Kanji breakdown: 暗 (an) — dark, hidden, secret; 号 (go) — number, signal, mark
• Pronunciation: /aŋ.ɡoː/

Meaning

Code; cipher; cryptography; secret signal or password. A system of symbols or transformations used to conceal meaning.

A versatile noun that covers a broad range of coded communication: from simple numeric codes (暗証番号 — PIN) and military ciphers to modern cryptographic protocols (暗号化 — encryption). In computing and cybersecurity contexts, 暗号 is the standard term for encryption and cryptography. It also appears in everyday speech for passwords and secret signals. The verb form 暗号化する (to encrypt) is essential in technical writing.

Examples

1. 通信データを守るために、強力な暗号アルゴリズムが使われている。 Powerful cryptographic algorithms are used to protect communication data.
2. 敵軍の無線通信を傍受したが、暗号が解読できなかった。 Enemy radio transmissions were intercepted, but the cipher could not be decoded.
3. 量子コンピュータの発展により、現行の暗号技術が脅かされる可能性がある。 The advancement of quantum computers may threaten current cryptographic technology.

Usage Guide

Context: cybersecurity, computing, military history, telecommunications

Tone: technical, neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 暗 (an) — dark, hidden, secret + 号 (go) — number, signal, mark. The compound has been used in Japanese since the Meiji era to translate concepts of code and cipher from Western cryptographic practice.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal