認めます（みとめます、mitomemasu）
- to recognize

The Japanese verb 認めます 認めます means "to recognize," "to acknowledge," "to admit," "to approve," or "to accept." It conveys the act of understanding something as true or valid, or of giving consent or approval. The specific nuance depends on the context of the sentence. It can refer to accepting facts, admitting to something, or giving permission.

⚫︎彼らは彼の意見を認めました。 Translation: They acknowledged his opinion. ⚫︎私はその間違いを認めます。 Translation: I admit that mistake. ⚫︎この計画を認めますか？ Translation: Do you approve of this plan?

⚫︎ Use 認めます 認めます when you want to express that you accept something as fact or that you agree with something. ⚫︎ It can be used in formal and informal situations, though the level of politeness will change depending on the situation (e.g., using polite forms like 認めます 認めます versus casual forms). ⚫︎ Consider the context: is it about acknowledging a fact, admitting a mistake, or approving a request? This will guide your understanding of the precise meaning.

⚫︎ The base form of the verb is 認める (mitomeru). ⚫︎ The polite form, 認めます 認めます, is the present/future tense form. ⚫︎ It's written in hiragana as みとめます. ⚫︎ The kanji is 認 and it can be combined with other kanji to form words such as 認識 (ninshiki - recognition) and 承認 (shounin - approval). ⚫︎ The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is usually め.

⚫︎ 承知する (shouchi suru) - to be aware of; to acknowledge (more formal) ⚫︎ 同意する (doui suru) - to agree; to consent ⚫︎ 容認する (younin suru) - to permit; to accept (in a more formal context, especially about rules or procedures) ⚫︎ 認める (mitomeru) - (plain form - same meaning)

⚫︎ 否定する (hitei suru) - to deny; to negate ⚫︎ 拒否する (kyohi suru) - to refuse; to reject ⚫︎ 認めない (mitomenai) - to not recognize/acknowledge/admit/approve (negative form of 認める 認める)

彼は自分の過ちを認めました。 ・Translation: He admitted his mistake. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 認めました 認めました (past tense of 認めます 認めます) to show that the person acknowledged and admitted to their error.

この提案を認めますか？ ・Translation: Do you accept this proposal? ・Explanation: This sentence uses 認めます 認めます to inquire whether someone approves of or accepts a certain proposal or idea.

The kanji 認 (nin) combines with the verb stem める (meru). The kanji's root meaning is related to "to see" or "to perceive", reflecting the core meaning of recognizing or acknowledging something.