お墨付き
Meaning: An official seal of approval or authoritative endorsement, originating from the ink-sealed documents of the samurai era.
In modern usage, お墨付き indicates that someone with authority or expertise has given their approval. It adds weight and credibility to a recommendation. While the original meaning involved literal ink seals on official documents, today it is used casually to mean 'trusted endorsement' from anyone whose opinion carries weight — a boss, an expert, or even popular opinion.
Examples
- 社長のお墨付きをもらったからこのプロジェクト進めていいよ。 拿到了社长的首肯,这个项目可以推进了。El presidente ha dado su visto bueno, así que podemos seguir adelante con el proyecto.사장님의 승인을 받았으니까 이 프로젝트 진행해도 돼.
- あの店は地元民のお墨付きだから間違いない。 那家店是当地人盖章认可的,绝对没问题。Esa tienda tiene el aval de la gente del barrio, así que es una apuesta segura.그 가게는 지역 주민의 보증이 있으니까 틀림없어.
- 親のお墨付きがないと結婚の話進まないんだよね。 没有父母的认可,结婚的事就没法往前推。Sin la aprobación de los padres, la cosa del matrimonio no avanza.부모님 허락이 없으면 결혼 이야기가 진전이 안 돼.
Pronunciation
/o.su.mi.tsu.ki/
Usage Guide
Context: business, everyday conversation, media
Tone: endorsing, authoritative
✓ Do Say
- 医者のお墨付きもらったから大丈夫だよ (I got the doctor's stamp of approval so it's fine)拿到了医生的认可,所以没问题的(I got the doctor's stamp of approval so it's fine)El médico me ha dado el visto bueno, así que tranquilo.의사 선생님의 보증을 받았으니까 괜찮아 (I got the doctor's stamp of approval so it's fine)
- プロのお墨付きなら安心して買える (If a pro endorses it, I can buy it with confidence)有专业人士背书的话就能放心买了(If a pro endorses it, I can buy it with confidence)Si un profesional lo avala, puedo comprarlo con confianza.전문가가 추천하는 거라면 안심하고 살 수 있어 (If a pro endorses it, I can buy it with confidence)
✗ Don't Say
- 自分の意見に「お墨付き」を使うのは不自然 (Using お墨付き about your own opinion sounds unnatural — it implies external authority)对自己的意见用'お墨付き'不太自然——这个词暗示的是来自外部权威的认可(Using お墨付き about your own opinion sounds unnatural — it implies external authority)Usar «お墨付き» refiriéndote a tu propia opinión suena forzado, ya que implica una autoridad externa.자기 의견에 '보증'이라는 말을 쓰면 부자연스럽다 — 외부의 권위를 의미하는 표현이기 때문이다 (Using お墨付き about your own opinion sounds unnatural — it implies external authority)
Common Mistakes
- Using お墨付き for your own opinion rather than someone else's authoritative endorsement
- Not understanding the hierarchical nuance — the approval must come from someone with recognised authority
Origin & History
From the Edo period practice where the shogunate issued documents sealed with ink (墨) to grant official permission or recognition. The tradition of ink seals carried over as a metaphor for authoritative approval.
Cultural Context
Era: Edo period origin, still actively used in modern Japanese
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Common in business, media, and daily conversation.
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