Japanese word

免許

Pronunciation

Romajimenkyo

Meaning

  • nounlicense

Example

運転免許を持っています。un ten men kyo o mo tte i ma su

I have a driver's license.

Illustration for 免許 (license)

More examples

運転免許を更新しました。un ten men kyo o kō shin shi ma shi ta

I renewed my driver's license.

Core concept

A license shows that an authority allows someone to perform an activity under stated conditions.

Common phrases

  • 免許を取るmen kyo o to ru

    get a license

  • 免許を持つmen kyo o mo tsu

    hold a license

  • 免許を更新するmen kyo o kō shin su ru

    renew a license

Similar words

許可kyoka: Official permission to do something, often for a specific action or situation.

Definition in Japanese

一定の行為を行うことを公的に認められた資格や許可。it tei no kō i o okona u ko to o kō teki ni mito me ra re ta shi kaku ya kyo ka

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 免許 (menkyo, "license") is formed from 免 (men, "release") and 許 (kyo, "allow"), suggesting that a restriction is lifted by official approval.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 免許 (menkyo) often means a driver's license when no activity is named, but it can also mean official permission for another activity.

Other meanings

  • permitnoun

Word lists with this word