免許|めんきょmenkyo[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verblicense; licence; permission; permit; certificate
  2. noundriver's license
    やっと免許めんきょが取とれました。↗
    I got a driver's license at last.
Conjugation
Dictionary form免許する(めんきょする)
Polite (masu)免許します(めんきょします)
Negative (nai)免許しない(めんきょしない)
polite (masen)免許しません(めんきょしません)
classical zu / nu免許せず・免許せぬ(めんきょせず・めんきょせぬ)
Past (ta)免許した(めんきょした)
polite (mashita)免許しました(めんきょしました)
Past negative (nakatta)免許しなかった(めんきょしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)免許しませんでした(めんきょしませんでした)
Te form免許して(めんきょして)
Potential免許できる(めんきょできる)
Passive免許される(めんきょされる)
Causative免許させる(めんきょさせる)
Causative passive免許させられる(めんきょさせられる)
Conditional (ba)免許すれば(めんきょすれば)
tara免許したら(めんきょしたら)
Volitional免許しよう(めんきょしよう)
polite (mashou)免許しましょう(めんきょしましょう)
Imperative免許しろ(めんきょしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym認可にんかWrittenFormal approval by an authority of an application, e.g. to set up a school or company; 「免許」 lets an individual do what is normally banned, like driving or medicine.
  • Synonym許可きょかNeutralThe broadest word for allowing something, official or not, e.g. 「入室許可」; 「免許」 is official permission for a restricted activity, or a master passing on an art's secrets.
  • Synonym承認しょうにんNeutralAccepting something as legitimate and agreeing to it, as in 「議会の承認」; 「免許」 permits restricted activities like driving or medicine.
  • Synonym免状めんじょうNeutralThe paper itself — a licence or certificate, also a diploma; 「免許」 can mean the qualification or the licence.
  • Synonym免許証めんきょしょうNeutralThe document proving you hold a licence, especially the driver's licence card; in speech 「免許」 also often means the driver's licence itself.
  • SynonymライセンスNeutralA loanword for licences and for licensing of trademarks or copyrights; 「免許」 leans towards state-issued qualifications.
  • Synonym公許こうきょWrittenWritten and rare: the government's formal permission. Say 「許可」 or 「免許」 in everyday speech.
  • Synonym允許いんきょWrittenWritten and rare: permission. Say 「許可」 in everyday speech.
  • Synonym免許状めんきょじょうNeutralThe document certifying a licence, as in 「教員免許状」; 「免許」 is broader.
  • Synonym認可証にんかしょうWrittenA certificate issued once approval is granted; 「免許」 is a licence qualification.
  • Synonym認許にんきょWrittenWritten and rare: approval or endorsement. Say 「認可」 or 「許可」 in everyday speech.
  • Related公認こうにんNeutralFormal recognition by the state or an organization, as in 「公認記録」 or 「公認候補」; 「免許」 is a licence qualification.
  • Related認定にんていNeutralCertifying a qualification or fact after review, as in 「認定試験」; 「免許」 centres on lifting a ban and letting someone practise.
  • Related認証にんしょうNeutralOfficial confirmation and proof, also identity verification online; 「免許」 is permission to engage in a restricted activity.
  • Related授権じゅけんWrittenWritten legal term for granting authority; 「免許」 is permission to engage in a restricted activity.
  • Relatedお墨付きおすみつきNeutralBacking or approval from an authority, as in 「専門家のお墨付き」; 「免許」 is an official licence, or a master’s certifying that a pupil has received a school’s secrets.
  • Related認定証にんていしょうWrittenA certificate issued after a qualification is certified; 「免許」 is a licence qualification.
  • RelatedオーソライズNeutralA loanword for formal approval or credit-card authorization, mostly in business; say 「承認」 in everyday speech.

Use 「免許」 for professional qualifications such as a driver's or medical licence, and 「免許証」 for the card or document itself. For general permission say 「許可」; for approval by an authority of an application, 「認可」; for certifying a qualification after review, 「認定」; and for an authority figure's personal endorsement, 「お墨付き」. The other words are mostly written, rare, or field-specific.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 官公庁かんこうちょうが、一般いっぱんには禁止きんしされている行為こういを特定とくていの人ひとまたは場合ばあいに解除かいじょすること。
  2. 師匠ししょうが弟子でしに、武術ぶじゅつ・技芸ぎげいなどの奥義おうぎを伝つたえること。
  3. 許可きょかと特許とっきょ。
  4. 一般いっぱんには禁止きんしされている行為こういを特定とくていの人ひとまたは場合ばあいに許ゆるすこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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