承諾する

Hey everyone! Let's break down another useful Japanese verb today: 承諾する (shoudaku suru). This one is super practical for everyday situations where you need to express agreement or approval. It's a B1 level word, so it's not overly formal but definitely good to have in your vocabulary toolkit.

Japanese Word

承諾する (shoudaku suru)

Meaning

To consent; to agree to; to approve.

§ Basic Usage

承諾する is a suru-verb, which means it behaves like many other verbs formed by adding する to a noun. This makes it pretty straightforward to conjugate and use in sentences.

§ What it Means in Action

When you 承諾する something, you're giving your agreement or permission. Think of it like saying 'yes' to a request, proposal, or condition. It's often used in more formal contexts than simply saying 「はい」 (hai), but it's not overly stuffy either. It implies a conscious decision to accept or go along with something.

§ Grammar and Particles with 承諾する

The most common particle you'll use with 承諾する is を (o) when directly stating what you're consenting to. However, you might also see に (ni) in certain situations, especially when emphasizing the source or recipient of the consent. Let's look at some examples to make this clear.

• Noun を 承諾する: This is the most direct way to say 'to consent to X' or 'to approve X'.

  彼は私たちの提案を承諾しました。

  Hint

  He consented to our proposal. (Or: He approved our proposal.)

  彼女は私の要求を承諾してくれた。

  Hint

  She kindly agreed to my request.

• (Clause) ことを 承諾する: When you're agreeing to an action or a statement, you can turn that into a noun clause using こと (koto).

  彼は秘密を守ることを承諾しました。

  Hint

  He consented to keep the secret.

• (Person/Organization) の 承諾を得る (shoudaku o eru): This phrase means 'to obtain consent/approval from someone/an organization'. While not directly using 承諾する as the main verb, it's a very common related expression. The の here indicates possession or association.

  上司の承諾を得る必要があります。

  Hint

  You need to obtain your boss's approval.

§ Negative Forms

To say 'to not consent' or 'to not approve', you simply use the negative form of する, which is しない (shinai) in casual speech, or しません (shimasen) in polite speech, and しませんでした (shimasen deshita) for past negative.

Hint

We will not consent to those conditions.

And that's a solid start for 承諾する! Keep practicing these examples and try to form your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.

§ What 承諾する means

Let's break down 承諾する (しゅうだく する). It's a verb that means 'to consent,' 'to agree to,' or 'to approve.' Think of it as a slightly more formal way to say you're okay with something, especially when there's an explicit request or proposal.

DEFINITION

To consent; to agree to; to approve.

While you might be familiar with simpler ways to say 'yes' or 'okay,' 承諾する carries a bit more weight. It implies a conscious decision to accept something after consideration. It's not just a casual 'sure.'

§ Real-world use at work

You'll hear 承諾する quite a bit in business settings. When an important decision needs to be made, or when someone is asking for official permission, this word pops up.

Buchō wa watashi no teian o shōdaku shite kuremashita.
(The department manager approved my proposal.)

Keiyaku naiyō o shōdaku suru mae ni, yoku gokakuninsai.
(Please check the contract details carefully before agreeing to them.)

§ School and official documents

In academic settings or when dealing with official forms, 承諾する is the go-to word. Think about permission slips, applications, or anything that requires formal agreement.

Hogosha no shōdaku ga hitsuyō desu.
(Parental consent is required.)

Teishutsu sareta shorui wa subete daigaku-gawa de shōdaku saremashita.
(All submitted documents were approved by the university.)

§ News and formal announcements

When you read news articles or hear formal announcements, especially about official agreements, mergers, or policy changes, 承諾する is the word you'll encounter. It signifies a formal acceptance of terms or conditions.

• **Government decisions:** When a new policy is implemented, or an international agreement is reached, the news will often use 承諾する to indicate formal acceptance.
• **Company mergers/acquisitions:** If one company agrees to be acquired by another, you'll see this verb in the announcements.
• **Legal contexts:** In legal documents, such as agreements or waivers, 承諾する is crucial for indicating formal consent.

Ryōkoku wa heiwa jōyaku o shōdaku shimashita.
(Both countries agreed to the peace treaty.)

Understanding 承諾する is key to grasping formal communication in Japanese. Pay attention to its usage in official documents, news reports, and business conversations, and you'll quickly get a feel for its nuanced meaning.

§ Don't use 承諾する for casual agreement

Many English speakers learning Japanese tend to overgeneralize the meaning of "to agree" or "to consent." While 承諾する (shoudaku suru) certainly means this, it carries a more formal and often official nuance than simply saying "yes" to a friend's dinner invitation. Think of it more as granting approval or acknowledging a request in a formal context. Using it in everyday, casual conversations can sound stiff or even a bit strange.

For example, if your friend asks if you want to go to the movies, you wouldn't say:

This would sound incredibly formal, almost as if you're officially approving their movie plan. Instead, a simple はい、行きたいです (Hai, ikitai desu - Yes, I want to go) or いいですね！(Ii desu ne! - Sounds good!) is much more natural.

§ Confusing 承諾する with 'understanding'

Another common pitfall is to use 承諾する when you mean to say you understand something. While consenting often implies understanding, the words aren't interchangeable. 承諾する specifically refers to giving approval or agreement, not merely comprehending information.

DEFINITION

To consent; to agree to; to approve.

If your boss explains a new company policy, you wouldn't say:

This sentence implies you have officially approved the new policy, which is likely not your role. What you mean to say is that you understand the policy. For this, you would use:

§ Forgetting the particle を (o)

Since 承諾する is a transitive verb, it usually takes the direct object particle を (o) when indicating what is being consented to or approved. Omitting this particle can make your sentence grammatically incorrect or sound unnatural.

EXAMPLE

私達の提案を承諾していただけませんか。(Watashitachi no teian o shoudaku shite itadakemasen ka?)
Would you approve our proposal?

In this example, 提案 (teian - proposal) is the direct object of 承諾する, so it requires the particle を.

• Incorrect: 提案 承諾しました。(Teian shoudaku shimashita.)

• Correct: 提案を承諾しました。(Teian o shoudaku shimashita.)

Always remember to use を with 承諾する when there's a specific item or request being agreed to.

§ Understanding 承諾する (shoudaku suru)

承諾する (shoudaku suru) is a verb that means 'to consent,' 'to agree to,' or 'to approve.' It's a useful word to know when you need to talk about giving permission or accepting something in a formal context.

Japanese Word

承諾する (shoudaku suru)

Definition

To consent; to agree to; to approve.

§ Examples of 承諾する

She consented to my proposal.

The company approved the request.

My parents agreed to our marriage.

§ Similar words and when to use 承諾する vs alternatives

There are several words in Japanese that can be translated as 'agree' or 'approve,' but they have different nuances and are used in different situations. Here's a look at some common alternatives and how 承諾する fits in.

• 同意する (dōi suru): This is a very common word for 'to agree' or 'to concur.' It's generally less formal than 承諾する and can be used in a wider range of situations, from casual conversations to formal discussions. 同意する focuses on having the same opinion or understanding.

  彼の意見に同意します。

  I agree with his opinion.

• 賛成する (sansei suru): This also means 'to agree' or 'to approve,' often in the context of supporting a proposal, plan, or idea. It implies taking a positive stance on something. While similar to 同意する, 賛成する often carries a stronger sense of active support.

  その計画に賛成です。

  I agree with that plan. (I am in favor of it.)

• 許可する (kyoka suru): This means 'to permit' or 'to authorize.' It's about giving formal permission for an action to take place. 許可する is often used when there are rules or regulations involved, and permission needs to be explicitly granted by an authority.

  先生が外出を許可した。

  The teacher permitted us to go out.

When to use 承諾する:

You should use 承諾する when you want to convey the idea of giving consent or approval, especially when it involves accepting a condition, a request, or an offer. It's often used in slightly more formal contexts than 同意する, but perhaps less about official authorization than 許可する. Think of it as accepting something that has been presented to you, often after consideration.

For example, if someone asks you to do something and you agree to do it, 承諾する is a good choice. If a company accepts an application, 承諾する also fits well.

Remember, while these words can overlap, paying attention to the specific context and the level of formality will help you choose the most appropriate word.