1.
consent, acceptance, agreement
Agreeing to or accepting a request.
承知しました。
I understand. / Certainly.
Polite acknowledgment
はい、承知いたしました。
Yes, certainly. (very formal acknowledgment)
お客様のご要望は承知しました。すぐに対応いたします。
I understand your request. I will attend to it right away.
2.
understanding, being aware of
Knowing or understanding a situation.
そのことは承知しています。
I am aware of that.
ご承知のとおり、来月から新しいルールが始まります。
As you know, new rules will begin next month.
危険を承知の上で挑戦した。
I took on the challenge fully aware of the danger.
承知 is a formal word meaning 'understanding' or 'consent,' commonly used in business contexts.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT LEVELS (least to most formal):
- 分かりました: I understand (neutral)
- 了解しました: understood (casual-business)
- 承知しました: certainly (formal)
- かしこまりました: certainly (very formal, service industry)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 承知しました: I understand / Certainly
- ご承知のとおり: as you know
- 承知の上で: knowingly, fully aware that
- 百も承知: I know full well
NUANCE:
承知しました implies acceptance of a request or instruction, not just understanding. It's appropriate when agreeing to do something.