Translation guide
How to express agreeing to or giving permission for something in Japanese, from formal consent to casual agreement.
Expressing formal consent, such as agreeing to a proposal, plan, or official request.
The most common and neutral way to say 'consent to' or 'agree to'. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
He consented to the proposal.
I consent to your opinion.
Implies formal acceptance or approval, often used for requests, applications, or offers.
The company consented to his resignation.
Used in business or official settings to mean 'acknowledge and consent to', often implying understanding and acceptance.
I have consented to that matter.
Expressing that you allow someone to do something, or that you give your consent for an action.
Directly means 'to permit' or 'to give permission'. Used when someone in authority consents to an action.
The parents consented to the child's trip.
A common casual-to-neutral way to give permission. Attach to the te-form of a verb.
You can sit here. (I consent to you sitting here.)
A more formal or polite way to give permission, literally 'I don't mind if you...'.
You may smoke. (I consent to you smoking.)
Expressing that you agree to something reluctantly, or that you give in to a request.
Expressing consent in formal legal or medical situations, such as informed consent.
Specifically means 'to sign a consent form'. Used in medical or legal settings.
Please sign the consent form before the surgery.
The loanword for 'informed consent', used in medical contexts.
同意する is general agreement. 承諾する is formal acceptance of a request. 許可する is giving permission, often from a position of authority.
English 'consent to' can often be translated as 同意する, but in casual permission contexts, 〜てもいい is more natural than a direct translation.
彼女は最後に折れて、彼の提案を受け入れた。
She finally gave in and consented to his proposal.
The doctor sought informed consent from the patient.