承認|しょうにんshounin[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbrecognition; acknowledgement; acknowledgment; approval; consent; agreement
   私の提案ていあんを承認しょうにんしていただけますか。↗

   Could you approve my proposal?

• Synonym認可にんかWrittenPermission granted by a competent authority after review, as in 「認可保育園」; 「承認」 is not limited to official bodies.
• Synonym認めるみとめるNeutralEveryday verb with many senses — noticing, judging, approving, acknowledging facts; 「承認」 is the formal approval.
• Synonym認定にんていWrittenDetermination after review that a qualification or fact is established, as in 「認定試験」; the focus is on judging it to be true.
• Synonym容認ようにんWrittenTolerating or tacitly allowing a demand or behavior, often with a nuance of reluctant acceptance; 「承認」 is formal consent.
• Synonymお墨付きおすみつきNeutralFigurative for an endorsement or guarantee from someone authoritative, as in 「専門家のお墨付き」; fairly colloquial.
• Synonym許すゆるすNeutralEveryday verb meaning to allow, and also to forgive or pardon; 「承認」 has no sense of forgiveness.
• Synonym公認こうにんNeutralOfficial or public formal recognition, as in 「公認候補」 or 「公認記録」; stresses that the recognition is open.
• Synonym受け入れるうけいれるNeutralTo accept or take in opinions, requests, or people; 「承認」 centers on judging something legitimate and then approving it.
• Synonym承諾しょうだくWrittenConsenting to another person's request or demand, as in 「承諾書」; 「承認」 can also mean acknowledging facts or a state's recognition.
• Synonym同意どういNeutralAgreeing with someone's opinion or consenting to something, as in 「同意書」; more colloquial than 「承認」, and can also mean 'same meaning'.
• Synonym免許めんきょNeutralOfficial permission for a restricted activity granted to specific people — mostly licenses like a driver's license; also a master's transmission of an art's secrets.
• Related許可きょかNeutralPermission to do something, as in 「外出許可」 or 「許可証」; 「承認」 centers on approving a plan or recognizing facts as valid.
• Related許諾きょだくWrittenGranting another party leave to use or do something; common in copyright and contracts, as in 「利用許諾」.
• Related批准ひじゅんFormalSpecifically a state's final confirmation of a signed treaty; Japanese does not use it for approval in general.
• Related授権じゅけんFormalLegal term for conferring authority, as when a legislature delegates powers to the executive; it centers on granting authority, 「承認」 on approval.
• Related聞き届けるききとどけるWrittenListening to and granting a request; typically a superior toward a subordinate, or gods and Buddhas toward prayers; a rather old-fashioned expression.
• Related聞き入れるききいれるNeutralAccepting an opinion or granting a request, as in 「申し出を聞き入れる」; often seen in the negative 「聞き入れない」. A native Japanese word, softer than 「承認」.
• Related裁可さいかFormalA monarch's sanction of matters petitioned by subjects; a historical and constitutional term not used in everyday modern speech.
• Antonym拒否きょひNeutralAntonym: refusing a demand or vetoing — saying no to applications and proposals; the opposite of 「承認」.
• Antonym否認ひにんWrittenAntonym: denying that something is true, e.g. a suspect denying the charges; contrasts with 「承認」 as acknowledgment of facts.
• Antonym却下きゃっかWrittenAntonym: dismissing or rejecting an application or lawsuit, mainly in administration and the courts; the opposite of approving an application.

Use 「承認」 for formal approval of a plan or recognition of facts, 「許可」 for permitting an action, and 「承諾」 for granting a request; in everyday speech 「認める」 and 「許す」 are the natural choices. Official licenses fall under 「認可」 and 「免許」, treaty ratification is 「批准」, and 「同意」 is simply agreeing. For refusals, pick 「拒否」, 「否認」 or 「却下」.

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

1. 事柄ことがらが正当せいとう、妥当だとうだと認みとめること。是認ぜにん。
2. 聞き入ききいれること。よしと認みとめて許可きょかすること。承諾しょうだく。
3. （国家こっか、政府せいふ、交戦こうせん団体だんたいなどを）国際法こくさいほう上じょうの主体しゅたいとして認みとめること。国家こっか承認しょうにん。