案内

• Reading: あんない
• Romaji: annai
• Kanji breakdown: 案 (an) — plan, idea, proposal; 内 (nai/uchi) — inside, within
• Pronunciation: /a.n.na.i/

Meaning

Guidance; information; showing someone around. Leading or directing someone to a destination.

Functions as a noun or する verb (案内する). Used for physically guiding someone (ホテルまで案内する), providing information (案内板 = information board), and tour guidance (観光案内). The person who guides is 案内人 or ガイド.

Examples

1. 駅員さんがホームまで案内してくれた。 The station attendant guided me to the platform.
2. 新しい社員をオフィスに案内した。 I showed the new employee around the office.
3. 駅の案内板を見て乗り場を確認した。 I checked the information board at the station to find the platform.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, stations, tourism

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 案 (plan, idea, proposal) and 内 (inside, within). Originally meant to know the inside of a matter — to be familiar with something and thus able to guide others through it.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal