Translation guide
The English word 'license' can refer to an official document or permit, or to the abstract concept of permission or freedom to act. Japanese uses different words for these meanings, and also has a common verb form for 'to license'.
A physical or digital card, certificate, or document that proves you have official permission to do something (e.g., drive, practice a profession, own a software).
The most common word for an official license, especially for driving, professional qualifications, and government-issued permits.
運転免許を取った。
I got my driver's license.
医師免許を持っています。
I have a medical license.
A loanword from English, often used for software licenses, business permits, or in contexts with a modern or international feel. Less common for driver's licenses.
このソフトウェアのライセンスは1年間有効です。
This software license is valid for one year.
A written permit or certificate of permission, often for specific activities like construction, events, or carrying certain items. More formal and document-focused.
工事の許可証を掲示してください。
Please display the construction permit.
The abstract right or freedom to do something, often without a physical document. Can be formal or informal.
General word for permission or approval. Used when someone allows you to do something.
ここで写真を撮るには許可が必要です。
You need permission to take photos here.
親の許可なしに旅行できない。
I can't travel without my parents' permission.
Means 'freedom' or 'liberty'. Used when 'license' implies unrestrained freedom, often in a negative sense (poetic license, license to kill).
Often used in set phrases like 詩的許容 (poetic license). Not a direct translation for everyday permission.
In some contexts, 'license' as a concept is better expressed with a verb meaning 'to allow' or 'to permit'.
彼は何をしても許されている。
He has license to do whatever he wants.
The action of giving someone a license or official permission to do something.
Literally 'to grant a license'. Used for official licenses like driving or professional qualifications.
国が新しい銀行に免許を与えた。
The government licensed a new bank.
A verb form of the loanword, often used in business or technology contexts (e.g., licensing software or patents).
この技術を他社にライセンスする予定です。
We plan to license this technology to other companies.
Formal term for official approval or authorization, often by a government agency.
市が新しいレストランの営業を認可した。
The city licensed the new restaurant to operate.
免許 is the standard word for official licenses like driving, medical, or teaching. ライセンス is a loanword used in modern contexts like software, business, or international permits. 許可 is general permission, not necessarily a physical license.
運転免許証を見せてください。
Please show me your driver's license.
このアプリのライセンスキーを入力してください。
Please enter the license key for this app.
イベント開催の許可が下りた。
We got permission to hold the event.
免許 is for official qualifications. For software, use ライセンス or sometimes 使用許諾 (しようきょだく). Using 免許 for software sounds unnatural.
車を運転するには免許が必要です。
You need a license to drive a car.
そのソフトウェアはオープンソースライセンスで配布されています。
The software is distributed under an open-source license.
彼は事実を詩的に誇張した。
He took poetic license with the facts.
A more natural translation than a literal one for 'poetic license'.
That's within the bounds of poetic license.