認可

• Reading: にんか
• Romaji: ninka
• Kanji breakdown: 認 (nin) — recognise, acknowledge; 可 (ka) — permissible, approved
• Pronunciation: /niɴka/

Meaning

Approval; authorisation; a formal permit granted by an official authority confirming that standards have been met.

A noun used in administrative and legal contexts. 認可 implies a thorough review process before approval is granted, and is distinguished from 許可 (permission) by its connotation of certifying that established criteria have been satisfied. Used across contexts including pharmaceutical licensing (薬事認可), school certification, and building approval. Without 認可, an activity or facility may be legally barred from operating.

Examples

1. 新薬の認可を得るには、厳格な臨床試験の結果を規制当局に提出しなければならない。 To obtain approval for a new drug, the results of rigorous clinical trials must be submitted to the regulatory authority.
2. 市から認可を受けた保育施設のみが国の補助金支給対象として認められる。 Only childcare facilities that have received approval from the municipality are recognised as eligible for national subsidy payments.
3. 認可申請の書類に不備があった場合、審査は一から改めてやり直しとなる。 If there are any deficiencies in the documents submitted for an approval application, the review process must start over from the beginning.

Usage Guide

Context: law, administration, business, medicine

Tone: formal

Origin & History

From 認 (to recognise, acknowledge as valid) and 可 (permissible, acceptable). 可 originally depicted a man being addressed, conveying the affirmative response 'yes, this is acceptable.' Together, the characters mean 'recognising something as lawful and permissible.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business/Legal