Translation guide
The concept of permission that is not explicitly stated but understood from context, silence, or lack of objection. In Japanese, this is often expressed through phrases implying implicit consent, or by describing the situation rather than using a direct noun.
Expressing that someone has given permission by not objecting, or that an action is allowed without explicit approval.
A common phrase meaning 'tacit understanding' or 'implicit agreement'. It can be used for permission that is understood without being stated.
それは暗黙の了解だ。
That's a tacit understanding.
彼の行動は暗黙の了解のもとに行われた。
His actions were carried out with tacit consent.
Describing a situation where someone's lack of objection is taken as consent.
A descriptive pattern: 'Saying nothing implies permission'. Useful for explaining the concept.
彼が何も言わないことが許可を意味していた。
His saying nothing implied permission.
暗黙の了解 is a general 'tacit understanding' that can apply to social norms or unspoken rules. 黙認 specifically implies that someone in authority is deliberately overlooking a violation or bending the rules, giving implicit permission.
会議中の携帯電話の使用は暗黙の了解で禁止されている。
Using cell phones during meetings is prohibited by tacit understanding.
警察はその露天商を黙認している。
The police tacitly permit that street vendor.
彼は彼女の沈黙を暗黙の了解と受け取った。
He took her silence as tacit permission.
会社は従業員の在宅勤務を黙認していた。
The company gave tacit permission for employees to work from home.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'tacit permission' or 'connivance'. Often used when someone deliberately overlooks something, giving implicit approval.
上司は彼の遅刻を黙認している。
The boss tacitly permits his lateness.
その行為は黙認されていた。
That act was tacitly permitted.
Literally 'tacit permission'. A direct translation that is understandable but less common than 暗黙の了解 or 黙認.
彼は暗黙の許可を得たと思った。
He thought he had tacit permission.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'an understanding that goes without saying'. Emphasizes that the permission is so obvious it need not be spoken.
それは言わずもがなの了解だった。
It was a tacit understanding that went without saying.
A set phrase: 'Silence is taken as consent'. Formal and somewhat literary.
この場では沈黙は承諾とみなされる。
In this situation, silence is taken as consent.
The direct translation '暗黙の許可' is grammatically correct but sounds stiff and is rarely used in natural conversation. Prefer 暗黙の了解 or 黙認 depending on context.
The direct translation '暗黙の許可' is grammatically correct but sounds stiff and is rarely used in natural conversation. Prefer 暗黙の了解 or 黙認 depending on context.