避難

• Reading: ひなん
• Romaji: hinan
• Kanji breakdown: 避 (hi) — avoid, escape; 難 (nan) — difficulty, danger, disaster
• Pronunciation: /çi.naɴ/

Meaning

Taking refuge; evacuation; finding shelter. Fleeing from danger to a safe place.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to evacuate or take shelter from danger, especially natural disasters. One of the most important disaster-related terms in Japan. Key compounds include 避難所 (hinanjo, evacuation shelter), 避難指示 (hinan shiji, evacuation order), 避難経路 (hinan keiro, evacuation route), and 避難訓練 (hinan kunren, evacuation drill). Every Japanese school and workplace conducts regular 避難訓練.

Examples

1. 津波警報が出たので、高台に避難した。 A tsunami warning was issued, so we evacuated to higher ground.
2. 近くの避難所の場所を確認しておこう。 Let's confirm the location of the nearest evacuation shelter.
3. 学校で毎年避難訓練が行われている。 Evacuation drills are held at school every year.

Usage Guide

Context: disaster preparedness, emergency response, daily life

Tone: urgent

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 避 (hi, avoid/escape) + 難 (nan, difficulty/danger). Literally 'avoiding difficulty' — escaping from a dangerous situation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal