匿名

• Reading: とくめい
• Romaji: tokumei
• Kanji breakdown: 匿 (toku) — hide, conceal, shelter; 名 (mei) — name, fame, reputation
• Pronunciation: /to.kɯ.meː/

Meaning

Anonymity; anonymous. The state of having one's identity concealed.

A noun and no-adjective meaning anonymity or anonymous. Very common in modern Japanese, especially regarding internet culture and privacy — 匿名で投稿する (to post anonymously), 匿名の通報 (an anonymous tip), 匿名希望 (wishes to remain anonymous). Functions as a no-adjective before nouns: 匿名の手紙 (an anonymous letter). The concept is culturally significant in Japan, where anonymous online communication has played a major role.

Examples

1. 匿名でアンケートに回答した。 I responded to the survey anonymously.
2. 匿名の寄付が学校に届いた。 An anonymous donation arrived at the school.
3. ネットでは匿名で発言する人が多い。 Many people post anonymously on the internet.

Usage Guide

Context: internet, surveys, journalism

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 匿 (toku, to hide/conceal) + 名 (mei, name). The compound literally means 'hidden name,' conveying the deliberate concealment of one's identity.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal