Meaning
The kanji 匿 (Nặc) primarily means 'hide,' 'conceal,' 'shelter,' or 'harbor.' It implies the act of keeping something or someone out of sight, often for protection or to evade discovery. This concealment can range from simply making something unseen to actively providing refuge for a person. Such acts sometimes carry legal implications, especially when sheltering criminals. Unlike simply 'hiding,' 匿 often carries a nuance of intentional secrecy or protection from external observation or pursuit. It suggests a deliberate act of putting something or someone in a safe or unknown place.
Its etymology reveals a semantic-phonetic compound. The radical 匚 (はこがまえ / kakushigamae), meaning 'box' or 'enclosure,' provides the semantic component, clearly indicating the idea of 'hiding' or being 'enclosed.' The phonetic component is 尼 (ニ / ni), which indicates the sound 'ni'. Although its original meaning of 'nun' is largely irrelevant to the kanji's overall meaning, it serves primarily as a phonetic clue. Visually, one can imagine something being securely put away within a box or secluded space. Comprising 11 strokes, this Jōyō kanji is typically encountered at the N1 level of the JLPT, indicating advanced proficiency.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 匿 is トク (toku).
匿名 (tokumei) — This compound refers to 'anonymity' or something being 'anonymous.' It is frequently used when a person's name or identity is kept secret, often to protect their privacy or to ensure impartiality. For example, individuals often donate 匿名 (tokumei).
隠匿 (intoku) — This word signifies 'concealment' or 'hiding,' often in the context of illegal activities, evidence, or assets. It implies a deliberate act of keeping something secret to avoid legal consequences or discovery. For instance, 証拠を隠匿する (shōko o intoku suru) means 'to conceal evidence.'
匿名の (tokumei no) — This is the adjectival form of 匿名 (tokumei), meaning 'anonymous.' It describes something whose name or origin is not specified. For example, 匿名の手紙 (tokumei no tegami) refers to an 'anonymous letter.'
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi reading for 匿 is かくま-う (kakuma-u).
- 匿う (kakumau) — This verb means 'to shelter,' 'to harbor,' or 'to hide someone.' It often implies providing protection and a safe haven for a person, sometimes a criminal or a fugitive, but also a victim or refugee. This highlights the act of offering refuge and keeping someone safe from discovery. For instance, 容疑者を匿う (yōgisha o kakumau) means 'to harbor a suspect.' It can also be used in a more positive context, such as 被災者を匿う (hisaisha o kakumau) 'to shelter disaster victims.'
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common words and compounds featuring the kanji 匿, organized by theme:
Anonymity & Secrecy:
匿名 (tokumei) — anonymity; anonymous. (e.g., 匿名での投稿 - anonymous post)
匿名希望 (tokumei kibō) — request for anonymity. (e.g., 匿名希望の寄付 - anonymous donation)
匿名情報 (tokumei jōhō) — anonymous information. (e.g., 匿名情報に基づく - based on anonymous information)
匿名掲示板 (tokumei keijiban) — anonymous bulletin board. (e.g., インターネットの匿名掲示板 - internet anonymous bulletin board)
匿名の意見 (tokumei no iken) — anonymous opinion. (e.g., 匿名の意見を募集する - to solicit anonymous opinions)
Concealment & Harboring (often legal/criminal context):
隠匿 (intoku) — concealment; hiding (e.g., of evidence, assets). (e.g., 財産を隠匿する - to conceal assets)
隠匿罪 (intoku-zai) — crime of concealment. (e.g., 証拠隠匿罪 - crime of concealing evidence)
犯人隠匿 (hannin intoku) — harboring a criminal. (e.g., 彼は犯人隠匿で逮捕された - He was arrested for harboring a criminal.)
容疑者を匿う (yōgisha o kakumau) — to harbor a suspect. (e.g., 警察は容疑者を匿う者を捜している - The police are looking for those who harbor the suspect.)
難民を匿う (nanmin o kakumau) — to shelter refugees. (e.g., 彼らの家は難民を匿っていた - Their house sheltered refugees.)
Example Sentences
彼は追い手から逃れるため、人里離れた場所に匿われた。
kare wa oite kara nogareru tame, hitozatohanareta basho ni kakumawareta.
To escape from his pursuers, he was hidden in a secluded place.
警察は犯人を匿った共犯者を逮捕した。
keisatsu wa hannin o kakumatta kyōhansha o taiho shita.
The police arrested the accomplice who harbored the criminal.
彼女は匿名でその事実を報告した。
kanojo wa tokumei de sono jijitsu o hōkoku shita.
She reported the fact anonymously.
その記事は匿名情報源に基づいて書かれていた。
sono kiji wa tokumei jōhōgen ni motozuite kakarete ita.
That article was written based on an anonymous source.
彼は不正な利益を隠匿していたことが判明した。
kare wa fusei na rieki o intoku shite ita koto ga hanmei shita.
It was discovered that he had concealed illicit profits.
紛争地域から逃れてきた人々が、隣国で匿われた。
funsō chiiki kara nogarete kita hitobito ga, ringoku de kakumawareta.
People who fled from the conflict zone were sheltered in the neighboring country.
企業が環境汚染の事実を隠匿することは許されない。
kigyō ga kankyō osen no jijitsu o intoku suru koto wa yurusarenai.
It is unacceptable for companies to conceal facts about environmental pollution.
住民たちは避難してきた家族を温かく匿った。
jūmin-tachi wa hinan shite kita kazoku o atatakaku kakumatta.
The residents warmly sheltered the families who had evacuated.
彼女は自身の身元を匿し、謎の人物として活動した。
kanojo wa jishin no mimoto o tokushi, nazo no jinbutsu to shite katsudō shita.
She concealed her own identity and operated as a mysterious figure.
犯人は警察の目を避け、友人の家に匿われていた。
hannin wa keisatsu no me o sake, yūjin no ie ni kakumawarete ita.
The criminal avoided the police's eyes and was harbored at a friend's house.
Memory Tip
To remember 匿, break it down into its components: the radical 匚 (hiding box or enclosure) and the phonetic component 尼 (nun). Imagine a story: A nun (尼) is discreetly hiding (匿) herself inside a box (匚) to escape from worldly troubles or to keep a profound secret. The 'box' radical clearly conveys the idea of an enclosed space or something being tucked away. While the 'nun' element helps trigger the sound 'ni' (related to its ancient Chinese pronunciation), remember that its modern Japanese readings are 'toku' or 'kakumau'. This vivid image will help you solidify the meaning of 'hide,' 'conceal,' or 'shelter.'