King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “certificate”

Romaji: menkyo
license; licence; permission; permit

In Japanese, certificate is , read (menkyo).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n, vs, vt license; licence; permission; permit; certificate
  2. n driver's license

Kanji and stroke order

excuse, dismissal
on: メン
kun: まぬか.れる、まぬが.れる
8 strokes · JLPT 1
permit, approve
on: キョ
kun: ゆる.す、もと
11 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “certificate”

WordReadingMeaning
しょうけん shoukenbond; bill; certificate
けん kenticket; coupon; bond
しょうしょ shoushodocument (of proof); certificate; paper
てちょう techoucertificate
おすみつき osumitsukicertificate; certified document; authorization

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
めんえき men'ekiimmunity; immunization; immunisation
めんぜい menzeitax exemption; duty exemption
めんじょ menjoexemption; exoneration; discharge
まぬがれる manugareruto escape (disaster, death, etc.); to be saved from; to be rescued from
めんせき mensekiexemption from responsibility
きょか kyokapermission; approval; authorization
ゆるす yurusuto permit; to allow; to approve
とっきょ tokkyopatent

See also: Chinese symbol for “certificate”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Last posts

  1. Best Wooden Naginata for Practice and How to Choose Yours
  2. Choosing a Keikogi for Hakama Compatibility and Performance
  3. What Size Hakama Should I Order for Proper Fit
  4. Best Aikido Hakama for Beginners Choosing Your First Pair
  5. Kendo Bogu Costs and Timing Your First Purchase
  6. Best Kendo Starter Sets for Beginners and How to Choose
  7. Best Sword Oil and Cloth Kits for Wooden Training Weapons
  8. Is Hickory a Good Wood for a Practice Sword
  9. Best Bokken for Tall Practitioners Choosing the Right Fit
  10. How Heavy Should a Practice Bokken Be for Training