How to Say "Permission" in Japanese

許可

kyoka[kʲo̞ka̠]

In Japanese, the word for permission is 許可 (kyoka). Wiktionary also lists 認可 (ninka).

Meaning: authorisation (noun)

Ways to say it

“permission” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
許可	kyoka	[kʲo̞ka̠] (narrow)
認可	ninka	[ɲ̟ĩŋka̠] (narrow)

許可 is used for a wide range of permissions, from a teacher allowing a student to speak, to a boss allowing a project to proceed.

While 許可 is a general term for permission, 認可 is used for official authorization or approval granted by a government or administrative body.

kyoka

In Japanese corporate culture, getting 許可 often involves a process called ringi, where a document is passed around for multiple people to stamp with their personal seals before it is approved.
Japanese has a specific concept called 暗黙の了解, which refers to a 'tacit understanding' or permission that is granted without ever being explicitly spoken or written.
The word 許可 is often paired with the verb 出る meaning 'to exit' or 'to come out', so obtaining permission is literally described as permission 'coming out'.

許可が必要ですか？
Do I need permission?
This is useful for asking if permission is required.
Tatoeba #11782640 by bunbuku, translation #9325796 by megamanenm
それやる許可は取ったの？
Did you get permission to do that?
This is useful for asking if someone obtained permission to do something.
Tatoeba #11341128 by bunbuku, translation #6348256 by CK
上司に許可を取ってきます。
I'll get permission from my superior.
This is useful for saying you will go to obtain permission from a superior.
Tatoeba #146251 by tommy__san, translation #268311 by CK
21 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two colleagues are discussing a project at the office.

陽葵 Himari

プロジェクトを進めるための許可は出ましたか？
Purojekuto o susumeru tame no kyoka wa demashita ka?
Has permission to proceed with the project been granted?
陽太 Yota

はい、部長から許可をもらいました。
Hai, buchō kara kyoka o moraimashita.
Yes, I received permission from the manager.
陽葵 Himari

それは良かったです！
Sore wa yokatta desu!
That's good to hear!
陽太 Yota

陽葵さんも準備を進めてください。
Himari-san mo junbi o susumete kudasai.
Himari, please proceed with your preparations too.

Sources

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