安全

• Reading: あんぜん
• Romaji: anzen
• Kanji breakdown: 安 (an) — peaceful, safe; 全 (zen) — complete, whole
• Pronunciation: /aɴ.zeɴ/

Meaning

Safety; security. The state of being free from danger or risk.

Functions as both a noun and a na-adjective. As a na-adjective, takes な before nouns: 安全な場所 (a safe place). The opposite is 危険 (kiken, dangerous). Extremely common in everyday life — road signs, food labels, workplace guidelines. The compound 安全運転 (anzen unten, safe driving) is seen everywhere in Japan.

Examples

1. この道は安全ですから安心してください。 This road is safe, so don't worry.
2. 子どもの安全のためにヘルメットをかぶりましょう。 Let's wear helmets for the children's safety.
3. 安全な場所に避難してください。 Please evacuate to a safe location.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, public safety, daily life

Tone: reassuring

Origin & History

Combines 安 (an, peaceful — a woman 女 under a roof 宀, safe at home) and 全 (zen, complete/whole — a perfect jade under a cover). Together: 'completely at peace' — thoroughly safe.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal