承認する

That's a great question! While both 承認する (shōnin suru) and 認める (mitomeru) can mean 'to recognize' or 'to acknowledge,' there's a key difference in their nuance. 承認する often implies a formal or official approval. Think of it like getting a document approved or having a proposal accepted.

For example:
提案を承認する (Teian o shōnin suru) - To approve a proposal.
申請書を承認する (Shinseisho o shōnin suru) - To approve an application form.

認める, on the other hand, is broader and can refer to acknowledging something as true, admitting a mistake, or recognizing someone's ability. It's less about official permission and more about acceptance of a fact or state.

For example:
彼の才能を認める (Kare no sainō o mitomeru) - To recognize his talent.
自分の間違いを認める (Jibun no machigai o mitomeru) - To admit one's own mistake.

So, if you're talking about official approval, go with 承認する. If it's about acknowledging a fact or a person's quality, 認める is often the better choice.

Yes, it can, but it's less common than using it for things like proposals or applications. When used for people, 承認する typically means 'to approve someone's status or qualification,' or 'to officially recognize someone.'

For example:
新しいメンバーとして承認する (Atarashii menbā to shōnin suru) - To approve someone as a new member.
その専門家として承認された (Sono senmonka to shōnin sareta) - He/She was recognized as that expert.

However, if you just mean 'to acknowledge someone's presence' or 'to recognize someone's face,' you'd typically use other verbs like 認める (mitomeru) or 認識する (ninshiki suru).

You'll often encounter 承認する in formal or business contexts. Here are some common situations:

1. Approving documents or requests:
契約を承認する (Keiyaku o shōnin suru) - To approve a contract.
休暇申請を承認する (Kyūka shinsei o shōnin suru) - To approve a leave request.

2. Acknowledging official decisions or statuses:
その計画が承認された (Sono keikaku ga shōnin sareta) - That plan was approved.
彼は国際的な賞によって承認された (Kare wa kokusaiteki na shō ni yotte shōnin sareta) - He was recognized by an international award.

3. In legal or administrative contexts:
法律を承認する (Hōritsu o shōnin suru) - To approve a law.
政府によって承認された (Seifu ni yotte shōnin sareta) - Approved by the government.

承認する is generally considered a formal and polite word. It's often used in business, official, or administrative settings.

You wouldn't typically use 承認する in very casual conversations with friends or family. For casual 'acknowledging' or 'agreeing,' you'd use simpler phrases like いいよ (ii yo - okay/it's good), 分かった (wakatta - I understand/got it), or 賛成する (sansei suru - to agree).

So, stick to formal contexts for 承認する to sound natural.

To make a request related to approval, you'll often use it in its passive form or with a different verb to express 'requesting approval.'

1. Asking for something to be approved (using 承認される):
この提案は承認されますか？ (Kono teian wa shōnin saremasu ka?) - Will this proposal be approved?

2. Requesting approval (using 承認をお願いする):
ご承認をお願いいたします (Go-shōnin o onegai itashimasu) - We kindly request your approval. (Very polite)
承認してください (Shōnin shite kudasai) - Please approve it. (Polite command)

Remember that 承認する itself is about the act of approving, so to make a request, you need to frame it from the perspective of seeking that approval.

While 承認する involves a type of agreement (official acceptance), it's not the primary verb you'd use to simply say 'I agree' in a conversation.

If you want to say 'I agree' with an opinion or statement, you'd typically use:
賛成です (Sansei desu) - I agree.
同意します (Dōi shimasu) - I agree/I concur.
そう思います (Sō omoimasu) - I think so too.

承認する implies a more formal and authoritative act of sanctioning or endorsing something, rather than just expressing personal agreement with an idea.

The negative form of 承認する (shōnin suru) is straightforward. Since it's a する (suru) verb, you simply change する to しない (shinai) for the plain negative, or しません (shimasen) for the polite negative.

Plain Negative: 承認しない (shōnin shinai)
例: 私はその計画を承認しない (Watashi wa sono keikaku o shōnin shinai) - I will not approve that plan.

Polite Negative: 承認しません (shōnin shimasen)
例: 弊社はその要求を承認しません (Heisha wa sono yōkyū o shōnin shimasen) - Our company will not approve that request.

You can also use the passive negative form 承認されない (shōnin sarenai) or 承認されません (shōnin saremasen) to say 'it is not approved' or 'it won't be approved.'

承認する is often used in rather direct, formal contexts, so it doesn't really form many 'idioms' in the playful sense. However, it frequently appears in fixed phrases related to administrative or business procedures.

Here are some common phrases you'll see:
承認を得る (shōnin o eru) - To obtain approval.
例: 上司の承認を得る必要がある (Jōshi no shōnin o eru hitsuyō ga aru) - I need to get my boss's approval.

承認を申請する (shōnin o shinsei suru) - To apply for approval.
例: 許可の承認を申請した (Kyoka no shōnin o shinsei shita) - I applied for permission/approval.

承認待ち (shōnin machi) - Awaiting approval.
例: この書類は現在承認待ちです (Kono shorui wa genzai shōnin machi desu) - This document is currently awaiting approval.

These are less 'idioms' and more 'standard usage patterns' that are very practical to know.

The most common particle you'll see with 承認する is を (o), which marks the direct object, meaning the thing being approved or acknowledged.

[対象] を 承認する ([Target] o shōnin suru)
例: 予算を承認する (Yosan o shōnin suru) - To approve the budget.
例: 彼のアイデアを承認する (Kare no aidea o shōnin suru) - To approve his idea.

Sometimes, especially in passive sentences or when indicating the approver, you might see に (ni) or によって (ni yotte).

[主体] によって 承認される ([Agent] ni yotte shōnin sareru) - Approved by [Agent]
例: 委員会によって承認された (Iinkai ni yotte shōnin sareta) - Approved by the committee.

For the most part, though, focus on using を with the thing that gets approved.

Yes, absolutely! As we've discussed, 承認する is quite formal. For more casual situations where you want to express a similar idea of 'agreeing to' or 'allowing,' you can use:

1. いいよ (ii yo) - Okay, it's good (very casual agreement/permission).
例: 「これ使ってもいい？」 「いいよ！」 ("Kore tsukatte mo ii?" "Ii yo!") - "Can I use this?" "Okay!"

2. 許可する (kyoka suru) - To permit, to allow (a bit less formal than 承認する, but still relatively formal for 'permission').
例: 入場を許可する (Nyūjō o kyoka suru) - To permit entry.

3. 認める (mitomeru) - As mentioned before, to acknowledge, to recognize, to admit. Can sometimes fit depending on context.
例: その意見を認める (Sono iken o mitomeru) - To acknowledge that opinion.

While there isn't one perfect casual replacement for all uses of 承認する, these options cover many of the situations where you'd be seeking or giving a less formal kind of approval or acceptance.