免許

• Reading: めんきょ
• Romaji: menkyo
• Kanji breakdown: 免 (men/manu) — exempt, release; 許 (kyo/yuru) — permit, allow
• Pronunciation: /me.n.kʲo/

Meaning

Licence; permit; certificate. Official authorisation to do something, especially to drive.

A noun most commonly encountered in the compound 運転免許 (driving licence). Also used as a する verb meaning to grant a licence. The physical card is called 免許証 (menkyoshou). Getting a licence in Japan typically involves attending a driving school (教習所).

Examples

1. 来月、免許の試験を受けます。 I'm taking the licensing exam next month.
2. 免許を取るのに三か月かかった。 It took three months to get my license.
3. 免許証を見せてください。 Please show me your license.

Usage Guide

Context: driving, government, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 免 (exempt, release) and 許 (permit, allow). Originally meant granting an exemption from a restriction — authorising someone to do what is otherwise prohibited.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal