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N1

Kanji 免: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 免: excuse, dismissal

Key takeaways

Kanji 免: excuse, dismissal. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N1

Meaning

excusedismissal

On reading

メン

Kun reading

まぬか.れるまぬが.れる

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 免

excuse, dismissal

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

𠂊 + 儿

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This kanji depicts a person (儿) using their hands (𠂊) to remove a heavy helmet or burden. It represents the act of being 'exempted' or 'excused' from a duty. You can find it in words like exemption (免除) or license (免許).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

メン
  • 御免くださいごめんください

    May I come in? / Excuse me (entering)

  • 御免なさいごめんなさい

    sorry / excuse me / pardon me

  • 免除めんじょ

    exemption / waiver / relief

  • 御免ごめん

    sorry / excuse me / permission

  • 免税めんぜい

    tax exemption / duty free

  • 免許めんきょ

    license / permit / certificate

Kun reading

まぬか.れる
  • 免れるまぬかれる

    to avoid / to escape / to be exempted

Commonly used words

  • 御免ください
    ごめんください

    May I come in? / Excuse me (entering)

  • 御免なさい
    ごめんなさい

    sorry / excuse me / pardon me

  • 免除
    めんじょ

    exemption / waiver / relief

  • 御免
    ごめん

    sorry / excuse me / permission

  • 免税
    めんぜい

    tax exemption / duty free

  • 免許
    めんきょ

    license / permit / certificate

  • 免れる
    まぬかれる

    to avoid / to escape / to be exempted

Example sentences

Example 1

ごめんください、入ってもいいですか。

Translation

May I come in? Is it okay?

Example 2

ごめんください、誰かいますか?

Translation

Excuse me, is anyone there?

Example 3

遅れてごめんなさい。

Translation

Sorry for being late.

Example 4

邪魔してごめんなさい。

Translation

Excuse me for disturbing you.

Kanji 免: excuse, dismissal | Daily Nihongo