Readings: ニン (Onyomi), みと.める, したた.める (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Recognize, admit, approve, notice
The kanji 認 is composed of 言 (word, speech) and 忍 (endure, bear). Its etymology suggests the meaning of “to acknowledge or confirm by word,” hinting at the idea of recognizing or admitting something through verbal agreement or acceptance.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 認 is written with 14 strokes. It starts with the 言 (word) radical on the left, followed by the 忍 (endure) component on the right. The stroke order follows the standard top-to-bottom, left-to-right rule. Pay attention to the order within each component, especially the various strokes in 忍.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 言 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Common Use Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ニン (NIN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- みと.める (mito.meru)
Common Words Using 認
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 認識 | にんしき | Recognition, awareness |
| 認定 | にんてい | Authorization, accreditation |
| 確認 | かくにん | Confirmation, verification |
| 承認 | しょうにん | Approval, consent |
| 公認 | こうにん | Official recognition, authorization |
| 再認識 | さいにんしき | Re-recognition, reappraisal |
| 黙認 | もくにん | Tacit approval, connivance |
| 追認 | ついにん | Ratification, subsequent approval |
| 認可 | にんか | Approval, sanction |
| 認知症 | にんちしょう | Dementia |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 認める | みとめる | To recognize, to admit, to approve, to notice |
| 認められない | みとめられない | Cannot be recognized/admitted |
| 認められる | みとめられる | To be recognized/admitted (potential/passive form) |
| 認めがたい | みとめがたい | Hard to recognize/admit |
| 認め合う | みとめあう | To acknowledge each other |
| 認めなさい | みとめなさい | Admit it (command form) |
| 認めよう | みとめよう | Let’s admit/recognize (volitional form) |
| 認めること | みとめること | The act of recognizing/admitting |
| 認めた上で | みとめたうえで | After recognizing/admitting (upon recognizing) |
| 認めていただく | みとめていただく | To have someone recognize/admit (humble expression) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の努力は皆に認められた。
Kana: かれのどりょくはみんなにみとめられた。
Romaji: Kare no doryoku wa minna ni mitomerareta.
English: His efforts were recognized by everyone.
Japanese: 私はその事実を認めます。
Kana: わたしはそのじじつをみとめます。
Romaji: Watashi wa sono jijitsu o mitomemasu.
English: I admit that fact.
Japanese: 会議で提案が承認された。
Kana: かいぎでていあんがしょうにんされた。
Romaji: Kaigi de teian ga shounin sareta.
English: The proposal was approved at the meeting.
Japanese: 本人確認が必要です。
Kana: ほんにんかくにんがひつようです。
Romaji: Hon’nin kakunin ga hitsuyou desu.
English: Identity verification is required.
Japanese: 彼は自分の間違いを認めなかった。
Kana: かれはじぶんのまちがいをみとめなかった。
Romaji: Kare wa jibun no machigai o mitomenakatta.
English: He did not admit his mistake.
Japanese: この地域は世界遺産に認定された。
Kana: このちいきはせかいいさんににんていされた。
Romaji: Kono chiiki wa sekai isan ni nintei sareta.
English: This area was designated a World Heritage Site.
Japanese: その話は認識不足だった。
Kana: そのはなしはにんしきぶそくだった。
Romaji: Sono hanashi wa ninshiki busoku datta.
English: That story was due to a lack of understanding.
Japanese: 私は彼の意見を尊重し、それを認めます。
Kana: わたしはかれのいけんをそんちょうし、それをみとめます。
Romaji: Watashi wa kare no iken o sonchou shi, sore o mitomemasu.
English: I respect his opinion and acknowledge it.
Japanese: 正式な認可が必要です。
Kana: せいしきなにんかがひつようです。
Romaji: Seishiki na ninka ga hitsuyou desu.
English: Formal approval is necessary.
Japanese: 彼の実力が公認された。
Kana: かれのじつりょくがこうにんされた。
Romaji: Kare no jitsuryoku ga kounin sareta.
English: His ability was officially recognized.
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