暗号化

• Reading: あんごうか
• Romaji: angouka
• Kanji breakdown: 暗 (an/kura) — dark, secret; 号 (gou) — number, signal, code; 化 (ka) — transformation, -ization
• Pronunciation: /an.ɡo̞ː.ka/

Meaning

Encryption; encoding; ciphering. The process of converting data or messages into a coded form.

A noun (and verbal noun with する) for the technical process of encryption in computing and communications. 暗号 means 'cipher/code/secret signal' and 化 is the '-ization' transformation suffix. Widely used in modern IT security, data protection, and cybersecurity contexts. The reverse process is 復号化 (decryption). Often appears in compound forms such as エンドツーエンド暗号化 or SSL暗号化.

Examples

1. すべての通信は暗号化されているので、第三者には読めない。 All communications are encrypted, so third parties cannot read them.
2. 個人情報の暗号化は、現代のセキュリティの基本だ。 Encrypting personal information is a fundamental principle of modern security.
3. このアプリはエンドツーエンドの暗号化を採用している。 This app employs end-to-end encryption.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, security, computing, communications

Tone: technical

Origin & History

暗号 (cipher, code, secret signal — from 暗 'dark, secret' + 号 'signal, code') + 化 (transformation suffix). A modern technical compound combining classical Sino-Japanese vocabulary with the productive -化 suffix.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Technical