案内|あんないannai[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbguidance; leading (the way); showing around
   ガイドは観光客かんこうきゃくに博物館はくぶつかんの案内あんないをした。↗

   A guide conducted the visitors round the museum.

   １人ひとりの年老としおいた女性じょせいが私わたしたちに城しろの中なかを案内あんないしてくれた。↗

   An old lady guided us through the castle.
2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbinformation; notice; notification
3. nounannouncement (of a visitor's arrival); informing (someone) of a visitor's arrival
4. noun, suru verb, transitive verbinvitation
5. nounacquaintance; knowledgeas ご〜

• SynonymガイドNeutralLoanword, usually the person (a tour guide) or the guidebook itself, as in 「観光ガイド」; 「案内」 stresses the act of guiding or informing.
• Synonym先導せんどうWrittenWritten term for leading from the front, as in 「パトカーが先導する」; stresses going ahead to lead, and lacks 「案内」's sense of notice or notification.
• Synonym道案内みちあんないNeutralSpecifically guiding someone who does not know the way; can also mean a signpost. 「案内」 is broader, covering showing visitors around and giving notice.
• Synonym導きみちびきWrittenWritten noun for guidance, often abstract or spiritual, as in 「神の導き」; for physically showing the way or notifying, use 「案内」.
• SynonymインフォメーションNeutralLoanword mostly for an information desk or information itself, as in 「インフォメーションセンター」; not used for guiding or showing the way.
• SynonymガイダンスNeutralLoanword for explanations or briefing sessions for first-timers, as in 「履修ガイダンス」; 「案内」 has a much wider range of uses.
• Synonym導くみちびくWrittenWritten verb for guiding or leading, often abstractly, as in 「成功に導く」; 「案内する」 is for concretely showing the way or introducing.
• Synonym誘導ゆうどうWrittenWritten word for steering crowds or traffic to a destination, as in 「避難誘導」; mainly for directing people or vehicle flows, while 「案内」 is service-style guiding.
• Synonym手引きてびきNeutralGuiding someone or an introductory guide, but also secretly letting someone in or pulling strings, as in 「内部の手引き」; 「案内」 has no such sense.
• Related道標どうひょうNeutralThe same word as 「道しるべ」 above; 「道標」 is just another spelling. Works for both real signposts and figurative guides; a thing, not an act like 「案内」.
• Related案内書あんないしょWrittenWritten word for a guidebook or primer — guidance put into book form; 「案内」 is the act itself — guiding, introducing or notifying.
• Related教えるおしえるNeutralTells information or teaches skills, as in 「道を教える」 and 「日本語を教える」; 「案内」 is about taking someone there or briefing them, not teaching.
• Related指導しどうFormalFormal word for instruction and training, as in 「指導者」; stresses teaching skills and correcting people. 「案内」 merely guides or informs, with no educational sense.
• Related連れるつれるNeutralTaking someone along with you, as in 「客を連れて行く」; the focus is on going together. 「案内」 focuses on guiding and introducing someone unfamiliar with the way.
• RelatedオリエンテーションNeutralLoanword for the orientation given to help new members of an organization adapt, e.g. for new students or staff; 「案内」 covers guiding and informing in general.
• RelatedガイドブックNeutralLoanword for a guidebook introducing a destination, event or facility, as in 「京都のガイドブック」; a book, not an act like 「案内」.
• Related入門にゅうもんWrittenWritten word for becoming a pupil, starting to learn, or a primer, as in 「日本語入門」; overlaps with 「案内」 only in the sense of an introductory guide.
• Related手引書てびきしょWrittenWritten word for an operation manual or instruction book, as in 「操作の手引書」; a book, whereas 「案内」 is an act or a notice.
• Related道しるべみちしるべNeutralA roadside signpost showing direction, by extension a guide, as in 「人生の道しるべ」; a thing, not an act like 「案内」.
• Related便覧びんらんWrittenWritten word for a concise, easy-to-consult handbook, as in 「学生便覧」; unlike 「案内」, it is a reference book, not an act of guiding.
• Related指南書しなんしょWrittenWritten word for a book explaining how to do something, as in 「投資の指南書」; it teaches methods, not 「案内」's guiding or notifying.

For showing the way, showing someone around, or giving notice, 「案内」 is the default. Say 「ガイド」 for a tour guide, 「道案内」 for pointing the way, 「先導」 for leading from the front, 「ガイドブック」 or 「手引書」 for guidebooks, and 「指導」 for teaching and training.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 事情じじょうや内容ないようを知しらせること。
2. 道みちや場所ばしょを知しらない人ひとを導みちびいて連つれて行いくこと。
3. ある地域ちいきを見みせて歩あるくこと。
4. 語義ごぎ1のことをする人ひと。
5. 語義ごぎ1のための冊子さっしや図ず、書状しょじょうなど。しらせ。
6. 取り次とりつぐこと。
7. 招待しょうたい。
8. （やや古いにしえ）事情じじょうや内情ないじょう。
9. 事情じじょうに通つうじていること。よく知しっていること。
10. （やや古いにしえ）事情じじょうや内情ないじょうを知しっているさま。