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.
彼はその提案に同意した。
He consented to the proposal.
I consent to your opinion.
Implies formal acceptance or approval, often used for requests, applications, or offers.
会社は彼の辞表を承諾した。
The company consented to his resignation.
Used in business or official settings to mean 'acknowledge and consent to', often implying understanding and acceptance.
その件については了承しました。
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.
親は子供の旅行を許可した。
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.
ここに座ってもいいよ。
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...'.
タバコを吸っても構いません。
You may smoke. (I consent to you smoking.)
Expressing that you agree to something reluctantly, or that you give in to a request.
Literally 'agree reluctantly'. Used when you have no choice but to consent.
彼は仕方なくその条件に同意した。
He reluctantly consented to the conditions.
Literally 'to bend/break', but idiomatically means 'to give in' or 'to yield'. Used when you consent after resistance.
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.
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.
手術の前に同意書に署名してください。
Please sign the consent form before the surgery.
The loanword for 'informed consent', used in medical contexts.
医者は患者にインフォームド・コンセントを求めた。
The doctor sought informed consent from the patient.
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.