案内 vs 道案内
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 案内
Listen to 道案内
| 案内 | 道案内 |
|---|---|
a-nai noun / verb | みちあんない noun / verb |
| guidance; information that helps someone find a place, understand something, or know what to do | guiding someone to a destination; giving directions |
How they differ
道案内 is more concrete than 案内 because it focuses on physically leading someone or explaining the route to a place. It sounds less broad and more travel- or navigation-related than the general word 案内.
When to use each
When to use 案内: Use 案内 when you also want the meaning of information, introduction, or showing around, not only route guidance.
When to use 道案内: Use 道案内 when the main idea is helping someone get to a place by showing the way or telling the route.
Side-by-side examples
- 観光客に駅までの案内をした。
(I gave the tourists directions to the station.) - 観光客に駅までの道案内をした。
(I guided the tourists to the station.)
Register & nuance: Neutral and common in everyday speech; it feels a bit more concrete than 案内.