内包

• Reading: ないほう
• Romaji: naihou
• Kanji breakdown: 内 (nai/uchi) — inside, internal; 包 (hou/tsutsumu) — to wrap, to contain, to include
• Pronunciation: /nai.hoː/

Meaning

Connotation; intension; containment within. In logic, the defining properties of a concept; in general use, what a word or idea implicitly contains or implies.

A noun and suru-verb (内包する) with both technical and general uses. In logic and linguistics, 内包 is the intension of a concept — the set of properties that define it — as opposed to 外延 (extension, the set of things it refers to). In general academic use, 内包する問題点 (problems contained within) and 可能性を内包する (to contain possibilities) are natural collocations.

Examples

1. その概念はいくつかの矛盾を内包しており、単純に定義することができない。 The concept contains several contradictions within it and cannot be simply defined.
2. 言葉の内包と外延を区別することは、論理的思考の基礎だ。 Distinguishing between the intension and extension of a word is fundamental to logical thinking.
3. 新しい法律の条文はさまざまな解釈の余地を内包している。 The wording of the new law contains room for various interpretations.

Usage Guide

Context: logic, linguistics, philosophy, academic writing

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Compound of 内 (nai) — inside — and 包 (hou) — to wrap, to contain. Literally 'contained within a wrap' — what is held inside the definition or boundaries of a concept.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Academic