免許（めんきょ、menkyo）
- license

The Japanese word 免許 (めんきょ, menkyo) primarily means "license," "permit," or "certificate." It signifies official permission to do something, often granted by a governing body or authority. It implies that the holder has met specific requirements, such as passing an exam or completing a training program, and is therefore authorized to engage in a particular activity. The 免許 can apply to a wide range of activities, from driving a car to practicing medicine or teaching. The specific meaning of 免許depends heavily on the context.

⚫︎運転免許 Translation: Driver's license ⚫︎医師免許 Translation: Medical license ⚫︎教員免許 Translation: Teaching certificate

You use 免許 when referring to official documents or qualifications that allow someone to perform a specific activity. You would use it in situations where you need to clarify that someone is authorized, certified, or permitted to do something. For example, if you are applying for a job, you might list any 免許 you hold on your resume. When speaking, the 免許 is often implied, so if you are talking about driving, you would just say you have a 運転免許, not just 免許 itself.

The word is typically written in kanji 免許, read as めんきょ in hiragana. There is no katakana version. There are no variations in the okurigana. The kanji 免 means "to excuse, to remit," and 許 means "to permit, to allow."

⚫︎ 許可 (きょか - permission) ⚫︎ 資格 (しかく - qualification) ⚫︎ 認可 (にんか - authorization) ⚫︎ ライセンス (raisen'su - license) - This is a borrowed word from English.

⚫︎ 禁止 (きんし - prohibition, ban) ⚫︎ 不許可 (ふきょか - disapproval, rejection)

来年、日本で運転免許を取る予定です。 ・Translation: I plan to get a driver's license in Japan next year. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses the intention to obtain a driver's license. The word 運転免許 specifies the type of 免許.

彼は弁護士の免許を持っています。 ・Translation: He has a lawyer's license. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the person has the official qualification to practice law.

The word 免許 is a compound word formed from two kanji. 免 means "to excuse, to free" and 許 means "to permit, to allow". The combination suggests a freeing from restrictions through permission or authorization. The original Chinese characters were adopted into Japanese, evolving to represent this concept of official authorization or permission.