The Meaning of kounin [公認] In Japanese

公認
こうにん
Romaji: kounin N2

What does 公認 mean?

Translation and Meaning

official recognition, formal acknowledgment

Definition

What does 公認 mean? Official recognition by an authority; something that has been formally approved or sanctioned, granting legitimacy or status in an official capacity.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Official recognition or endorsement by an authority, granting legitimacy or sanctioned status
  • Public acknowledgment of a person, organization, or product as authentic or legitimate
  • Formal accreditation or certification granted by an institution or governing body

Composition

  • 公 — public, official, openly recognized
  • 認 — to recognize, acknowledge, approve
  • Combined, 公認 conveys official recognition or sanction by an authority

Usage

Used in formal, administrative, and legal contexts to denote that something or someone has been formally recognized or approved by an official body; commonly attaches to organizations, licenses, certifications, and statuses that require sanction or legitimacy.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a public seal (公) and a formal nod of approval (認) stamped together, signaling official legitimacy.

Variations

  • 認定 (nintei) — certification or accreditation
  • 承認 (shōnin) — approval or acknowledgment
  • 非公認 (hikounin) — not officially recognized (antonym)

Example Phrases

  • 彼は公認のコーチとして新しいプログラムを始めた。
    Kare wa kounin no kōchi toshite atarashii puroguramu o hajimeta.
    He started a new program as an officially recognized coach.
    Lista:
    • 彼は (Kare wa) – he
    • 公認の (Kounin no) – officially recognized
    • コーチとして (Kōchi toshite) – as a coach
    • 新しい (Atarashii) – new
    • プログラムを (Puroguramu o) – program
    • 始めた (Hajimeta) – started
    「公認」 means ‘officially recognized’; here it is used as 「公認の」 before コーチ to indicate an officially recognized coach.
公認