Explore 承 in words used to acknowledge information, approve a proposal or receive a request politely.

The idea

承 has 8 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Learn 承知（しょうち）, 承認（しょうにん）, 了承（りょうしょう） and 承る（うけたまわる） as whole words. The first three use しょう; 承る has a different reading.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
承知しょうちI understand the schedule change.
承認しょうにんThe manager approved the plan.
了承りょうしょうThe committee approved the proposal.
承るうけたまわるI will take your order.

Examples

  • 日程にっていの変更へんこうを承知しょうちしました。I understand the schedule change.
  • 部長ぶちょうが計画けいかくを承認しょうにんしました。The manager approved the plan.
  • 返事へんじが遅おくれることをご了承りょうしょうください。Please understand that the reply may be delayed.
  • ご注文ちゅうもんを承うけたまわります。I will take your order.
  • 委員会いいんかいが提案ていあんを了承りょうしょうしました。The committee approved the proposal.
  • 担当者たんとうしゃから詳細しょうさいを承うけたまわりました。I have heard the details from the person in charge.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

承知しました acknowledges understanding or acceptance; it does not itself mean that a manager has formally approved a plan. 承認 is formal approval, while 了承 is consent or understanding.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 承知 in hiragana.

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    しょうち

    承知 is しょうち. 承知しました acknowledges the schedule change.

  2. Write the reading of 承る in hiragana.

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    うけたまわる

    承る is うけたまわる, a humble verb for receiving a request or hearing information.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿認（しょうにん）［承／近］.

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    承

    承 completes 承認（しょうにん）, meaning approval; 近 does not form this word.

Use it today

Write 承 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 承知 and 承る, and make a polite sentence with one.