How to say "permission" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 許可きょかnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe most general word for permission: being allowed to do something, whether by a person or an authority. Covers both asking for and granting permission, and extends to authorization.
- 免許めんきょnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means 'license' or 'permit': a formal, official grant of the right to do something. As a rendering of 'permission' it is marginal — seldom the word you want unless a license or permit is meant.
- 許容きょようnoun, suru verb, transitive verbPermission in the sense of tolerance or allowance: something is accepted or permitted rather than actively granted. Often closer to 'acceptance' or 'tolerance' than to asking for and receiving permission.
- 許しゆるしnounChiefly pardon or forgiveness — the act of forgiving a wrongdoing — with 'exemption' and 'permission' as secondary senses. For asking permission it is seldom the word you want; 許可 is the natural choice.
- 認可にんかnoun, suru verb, transitive verbFormal approval or authorization: an authority officially sanctions something. It counts as permission only in this official sense, not in the sense of one person allowing another to do something.
Use 許可 for permission in general, 認可 for official authorization by an authority, and 許容 for tolerance or allowance; 免許 is really 'license' and 「許し」 really 'forgiveness', only secondarily 'permission'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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