Meaning
The kanji 許 carries the core meanings of permit, allow, forgive, and approve. At the N2 level, this character turns up in contexts as different as government permit applications and heartfelt apologies — driver's licenses, patents, workplace requests, and personal forgiveness all run through 許.
Structurally, 許 is built from two components. The left side is 言 (ごんべん), the speech radical, linking the character to verbal declaration. The right side is 午, the character for noon and the seventh zodiac sign (the horse). In classical Chinese character theory, 午 acts as a phonetic component while 言 provides semantic direction. Together they suggest spoken affirmation — consent declared out loud.
In ancient Chinese writing, 許 expressed the granting of royal or official approval. Over centuries of use in Japan, it kept that formal sense but also acquired the verb ゆるす — to forgive or excuse someone. That development gave the character a dual life it still carries today: one foot in bureaucratic licensing, the other in human forgiveness.
許 is written with 11 strokes and is a Grade 5 Joyo kanji, taught in the fifth year of elementary school. Its radical is 言, placing it alongside other speech-related characters: 語, 話, 読, 記.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 許 is キョ (kyo). This reading covers almost all compound-word usage — legal, administrative, and business contexts alike. When 許 appears inside a multi-character word, キョ is the reading with very few exceptions.
- 許可 (kyoka) — permission, authorization. The most common compound using this kanji, ranging from government permits to a teacher letting you leave class early.
- 免許 (menkyo) — license. Found in 運転免許 (driver's license) and professional certifications of all kinds.
- 特許 (tokkyo) — patent. Used in intellectual property and technology law for registered inventions and their exclusive rights.
- 許容 (kyoyo) — tolerance, permissible range. Common in engineering, science, and social contexts when discussing acceptable limits.
- 許諾 (kyodaku) — formal consent. A more legal term for agreeing to a proposal or request.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is ゆる(す) (yuru-su), used when 許 appears as a standalone verb. ゆるす covers two acts at once: granting permission and forgiving a wrong. That both meanings share a single word reflects how deeply the ideas of allowing and absolving overlap in Japanese.
- 許す (yurusu) — to forgive, to permit, to allow. The base verb, used in formal requests and personal apologies alike.
- 許し (yurushi) — forgiveness, pardon, permission. The noun form, as in 許しを請う (to beg for forgiveness).
- 許せない (yurusenai) — unforgivable, cannot forgive. An emotionally charged expression conveying strong moral indignation, common in everyday speech.
Common Words & Compounds
許 compounds range from cold bureaucratic language to warm personal expression. Four clusters cover most of what you'll encounter:
Permission and Authorization:
- 許可 (kyoka) — permission, authorization
- 許可証 (kyokasho) — permit card, authorization certificate
- 不許可 (fukyoka) — denial of permission, disapproval
- 許諾 (kyodaku) — formal consent, approval
Licenses and Patents:
- 免許 (menkyo) — license (driver's license, professional certification)
- 免許証 (menkyosho) — license card, certificate document
- 特許 (tokkyo) — patent
- 特許権 (tokkyoken) — patent right, exclusive rights of an inventor
Tolerance and Acceptance:
- 許容 (kyoyo) — tolerance, permissible limit
- 許容範囲 (kyoyo han-i) — acceptable range, margin of tolerance
- 黙許 (mokkyo) — tacit approval, silent consent
Forgiveness:
- 許す (yurusu) — to forgive, to excuse, to permit
- 許し (yurushi) — forgiveness, pardon
- 許せない (yurusenai) — unforgivable, cannot accept
Example Sentences
先生は授業を早く抜けることを許してくれた。
Sensei wa jugyo wo hayaku nukeru koto wo yurushite kureta.
The teacher allowed me to leave class early.
この区域への入場には許可が必要です。
Kono kuiki e no nyujo ni wa kyoka ga hitsuyou desu.
Entry to this area requires permission.
彼の行動はどうしても許せない。
Kare no kodo wa doshite mo yurusenai.
I simply cannot forgive his behavior.
運転免許を取るために試験に合格しなければならない。
Unten menkyo wo toru tame ni shiken ni gokaku shinakereba naranai.
You must pass an exam to get a driver's license.
その発明はすでに特許を取得している。
Sono hatsumei wa sudeni tokkyo wo shutoku shite iru.
That invention has already been granted a patent.
社長の許可なしに契約を結ぶことはできません。
Shacho no kyoka nashi ni keiyaku wo musubu koto wa dekimasen.
You cannot sign a contract without the president's approval.
彼女はやっと私の過ちを許してくれた。
Kanojo wa yatto watashi no ayamachi wo yurushite kureta.
She finally forgave me for my mistake.
この行為は許容範囲を超えています。
Kono koi wa kyoyo han-i wo koete imasu.
This act exceeds the acceptable range of tolerance.
親は子供が夜遅く外出することを許さなかった。
Oya wa kodomo ga yoru osoku gaishutsu suru koto wo yurusanakatta.
The parents did not allow the child to go out late at night.
Memory Tip
Split 許 into its two parts: 言 (speech) on the left, 午 (noon) on the right. Picture a judge at high noon speaking a verdict aloud — 「許可！」 — full daylight, nothing hidden, words declared in the open. That image anchors both meanings: formal permission granted by speaking, and forgiveness offered face to face. 言 + 午 = your word given in the open.