Meaning
The kanji 免 (men, manugareru) primarily conveys the ideas of 'exemption,' 'dismissal,' 'immunity,' and 'escape.' It essentially means being released or freed from a burden, responsibility, danger, or an unwanted situation. This makes it a highly adaptable character in Japanese, used in everything from legal and administrative terms to everyday expressions of avoidance.
The origin of 免 is often traced to a pictograph or ideograph. One theory proposes that the kanji depicts a person (人, simplified at the top) having something removed or escaping. The bottom part, 儿, often represents 'legs' or a 'person,' suggesting movement or freedom from a burden. Another etymological perspective connects it to 冕 (ben), an ancient character for a ceremonial crown. Removing this crown might have symbolized dismissal or removal from office. Over time, its meaning broadened to include relief or escape from various difficult situations. The visual elements, like the top part suggesting a head or covering and the bottom part resembling legs, effectively communicate the idea of a burden being lifted or someone moving away from a restriction.
With just 7 strokes, 免 is relatively simple to write. Although it appears in complex JLPT N1 vocabulary, it's a Grade 4 kanji, meaning Japanese elementary school students typically learn it in their fourth year. Its fundamental meaning makes it a building block for many advanced terms.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 免 is メン (MEN). This reading is very common and appears in most kanji compounds for 免, often meaning 'exemption,' 'dismissal,' or 'license/permission.'
- 免許 (menkyo) — license; permit. This is a very common word, referring to official authorization to perform certain actions, such as driving or practicing a profession.
- 免税 (menzei) — tax exemption; duty-free. Frequently seen in contexts like duty-free shops or tax-exempt statuses for certain goods or organizations.
- 免除 (menjo) — exemption; remission. This term refers to being excused from a duty, payment, or penalty. For example, a student might be granted a tuition fee exemption.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) of 免 highlight the concepts of 'escaping' or 'being spared,' with both active and passive nuances.
- 免れる (manugareru) — to escape (from); to be spared (from); to avoid. This is a very common verb used when someone avoids a danger, punishment, or an unpleasant situation, often by luck or circumstance. It suggests a passive escape, where one is 'saved' or 'spared' by circumstances rather than actively fleeing. For example, 危険を免れる (kiken o manugareru - to escape danger).
- 免れる (nogareru) — to escape; to flee. While sometimes interchangeable with まぬがれる, のがれる often implies a more active escape, similar to 逃げる (nigeru). It can carry the nuance of fleeing from danger or evading responsibility. Although less common than まぬがれる for 免 in modern usage, it appears in historical texts and specific phrases. For example, 厳しい追及を免れる (kibishii tsuikyū o nogareru - to escape severe questioning).
Common Words & Compounds
Because of its adaptable nature, 免 appears in many compounds across different fields, especially in administrative, legal, and economic contexts. Some common examples include:
- 免許 (menkyo) — license; permit. (e.g., 運転免許 - driving license)
- 免税 (menzei) — tax exemption; duty-free. (e.g., 免税店 - duty-free shop)
- 免除 (menjo) — exemption; remission. (e.g., 授業料免除 - tuition fee exemption)
- 免責 (menseki) — exemption from responsibility; disclaimer. (e.g., 免責事項 - disclaimer items)
- 免職 (menshoku) — dismissal from office; discharge. (e.g., 不祥事により免職された - dismissed from office due to scandal)
- 免停 (mentei) — license suspension (short for 免許停止). (e.g., 交通違反で免停になった - got license suspended for a traffic violation)
- 免震 (menshin) — seismic isolation; base isolation (in construction). (e.g., 免震構造 - seismic isolation structure)
- 免れる (manugareru) — to escape; to be spared from; to avoid. (e.g., 最悪の事態を免れる - to avoid the worst-case scenario)
- 無免許 (mumenkyo) — unlicensed; without a license. (e.g., 無免許運転 - unlicensed driving)
- 免官 (menkan) — dismissal from public office. This is a formal term for removing someone from their government position.
Example Sentences
彼は偶然にも事故を免れた。
Kare wa gūzen nimo jiko o manugareta.
He fortunately escaped the accident.
運転免許を取得するために、教習所に通っている。
Unten menkyo o shutoku suru tame ni, kyōshūjo ni kayotte iru.
I am attending a driving school to obtain a driver's license.
この商品は海外からの購入で免税の対象になります。
Kono shōhin wa kaigai kara no kōnyū de menzei no taishō ni narimasu.
This product is eligible for tax exemption when purchased from overseas.
大学は彼に授業料の免除を与えた。
Daigaku wa kare ni jugyōryō no menjo o ataeta.
The university granted him a tuition fee exemption.
彼は職務怠慢を理由に免職された。
Kare wa shokumu taiman o riyū ni menshoku sareta.
He was dismissed from his post due to dereliction of duty.
厳しい追及を免れるため、彼は嘘をついた。
Kibishii tsuikyū o nogareru tame, kare wa uso o tsuita.
He lied to escape severe questioning.
地震に強い免震構造のマンションが人気だ。
Jishin ni tsuyoi menshin kōzō no manshon ga ninki da.
Apartment buildings with strong seismic isolation structures are popular.
契約書には、不可抗力による免責条項が含まれている。
Keiyakusho ni wa, fukakōryoku ni yoru menseki jōkō ga fukumarete iru.
The contract includes a disclaimer clause for force majeure.
彼は無免許運転で逮捕された。
Kare wa mumenkyō unten de taiho sareta.
He was arrested for unlicensed driving.
Memory Tip
To remember 免, picture the top part as a simplified 人 (person) trying to escape or be freed. The bottom part, 儿, can represent legs kicking or moving away. This evokes the image of someone shedding a burden or running from danger. This visualization of a person becoming 'free' or 'cleared' helps link the components to meanings like 'exemption,' 'dismissal,' or 'escape.' Alternatively, consider the top part as a hat or covering being 'removed' or 'lifted' from a person, symbolizing release from duty or obligation.