The Meaning of mudan [無断] In Japanese

無断
むだん
Romaji: mudan N4

What does 無断 mean?

Translation and Meaning

without permission, unauthorized, without consent

Definition

What does 無断 mean? It denotes acting or proceeding without the permission or consent of the owner or relevant party; it covers actions taken without prior approval, such as using someone else’s property or leaving work without notice.

Type

Noun (na-adjective) / Adverbial noun

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • absence of permission in actions that affect others’ property or information
  • negative connotation; denotes improper conduct or disregard for rules
  • common in formal writing or reporting to describe unauthorized behavior such as entry, use, or absence without notice

Composition

  • 無: negation, absence
  • 断: decision, refusal, cut

Usage

Used to describe actions performed without permission in various contexts—personal property, privacy, information, or access. Common in formal writing, legal contexts, journalism, and everyday speech when documenting improper behavior. It forms adverbial phrases with で ( 無断で ) and combines with other nouns to create compounds such as 無断欠勤.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a door with a red cross and the characters for 無 (not) and 断 (cut); this scene signals no permission to proceed—remember mudan as ‘not allowed’.

Variations

  • 許可なし (kyoka-nashi) — without permission
  • 勝手に (katte ni) — on one’s own accord, without asking
  • 無断で (mudan de) — in an unauthorized manner

Example Phrases

  • 無断で 部屋の写真を 撮るのは 絶対に 禁止ですよ
    mudan de heya no shashin o toru no wa zettai ni kinshi desu yo
    Taking photos of the room without permission is absolutely prohibited.
    Lista:
    • 無断で (mudan de) – without permission
    • 部屋の写真を (heya no shashin o) – photo of the room
    • 撮るのは (toru no wa) – taking it is
    • 絶対に (zettai ni) – absolutely
    • 禁止ですよ (kinshi desu yo) – it’s prohibited, you know
    In this sentence, 「無断」で means ‘without permission’ and is used with the で to form an adverbial modifier for 撮る.
無断