交付する

• Reading: こうふする
• Romaji: koufu suru
• Kanji breakdown: 交 (kō) — interchange, hand over; 付 (fu) — attach, affix
• Pronunciation: /koː.ɸɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To deliver; to issue; to grant officially, especially documents or certificates from an authority.

A する verb used in official and administrative contexts for the formal issuance of documents, permits, or certificates. Much more formal than 渡す (to hand over). Common phrases: パスポートを交付する (to issue a passport), 証明書を交付する (to issue a certificate), 交付金 (grant money, subsidy).

Examples

1. 市役所で住民票が交付された。 A residence certificate was issued at city hall.
2. 運転免許証は試験に合格した後に交付される。 A driver's license is issued after passing the test.
3. 政府は被災地に補助金を交付することを決めた。 The government decided to issue subsidies to the disaster-affected areas.

Usage Guide

Context: government, administration, legal

Tone: official

Origin & History

Compound of 交 (interchange, hand over) + 付 (attach, affix). Together they describe the act of handing over something officially, particularly documents.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal