Translation guide
The concept of being freed from an obligation, rule, or requirement. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, verbs, and set phrases depending on whether it's a formal exemption, a personal excuse, or a general state of being excepted.
To express that someone or something is officially released from a requirement, such as a tax, exam, or military service.
The most common and general noun/verb for exemption from duties, taxes, exams, etc. Used in formal and official contexts.
税金が免除された。
The tax was exempted.
彼は試験を免除された。
He was exempted from the exam.
Specifically means tax exemption. Used for items or income that are not subject to tax.
この商品は非課税です。
This item is tax-exempt.
Exemption from responsibility or liability, often used in legal or contractual contexts.
契約書に免責事項が記載されている。
The contract includes exemption clauses.
To say that someone is allowed to skip a particular activity, often in school or work settings.
A polite way to say you got exempted from something, implying you requested or received permission.
会議を免除してもらった。
I got excused from the meeting.
A casual, abbreviated way to state an exemption, often in spoken Japanese.
今日の掃除は免除だって。
I heard today's cleaning duty is exempted.
Literally 'absence', but can imply exemption when used in contexts like 'allowed to be absent'. Not a direct translation, but useful when exemption means not attending.
This word means 'absence' and only implies exemption in specific contexts. Use 免除 for clear exemption.
To indicate that something is not included in a general rule or category.
Means 'exception'. Used when something is exempted because it's an exception to the rule.
この規則には例外はない。
There are no exemptions to this rule.
彼は例外として扱われた。
He was treated as an exemption.
Means 'excluding' or 'except for'. Used to state that something is exempted from a group or condition.
子供を除く全員が参加した。
Everyone participated, with the exemption of children.
To express that someone is freed from blame or a personal obligation, often in everyday situations.
Literally 'to be released from', used when someone feels freed from a burden or duty. More emotional than formal exemption.
やっとその責任から解放された。
I was finally exempted from that responsibility.
A verb meaning 'to escape' or 'to be exempted from' something undesirable, like punishment or disaster.
彼は罰を免れた。
He was exempted from punishment.
免除 (めんじょ) is an active exemption from an obligation, often by an authority. 例外 (れいがい) is a passive state of being an exception. Use 免除 when someone is excused; use 例外 when something is simply not included in a rule.
彼は試験を免除された。
He was exempted from the exam. (免除)
彼は例外だ。
He is an exception. (例外)
免除 is formal and implies an official decision. For casual situations where you just want to say you got out of something, use phrases like 〜しなくてよくなった or 〜から解放された.
今日の当番を免除された。
I was exempted from today's duty. (sounds overly formal)
今日の当番、やらなくてよくなった。
I got out of today's duty. (more natural)
彼は欠席を認められた。
He was allowed to be absent (exempted from attendance).