(こうにん)

こうにん
noun, verb (suru)
official recognition, approval
1. official recognition, official approval, certification
Formal recognition or approval by an authority, organization, or institution. Often used for officially sanctioned candidates, certified products, or publicly acknowledged relationships.
公認(こうにん)会計士(かいけいし)になる。
Become a certified public accountant.
(とう)公認(こうにん)候補(こうほ)として選挙(せんきょ)()る。
Run in the election as the party's officially endorsed candidate.
(かれ)らの交際(こうさい)職場(しょくば)公認(こうにん)されている。
Their relationship is openly acknowledged at their workplace.

Used for official endorsement or certification by organizations. Also used more casually to mean something is openly known and accepted.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 公認(こうにん)会計士(かいけいし) (certified public accountant, CPA)
  • 公認(こうにん)候補(こうほ) (officially endorsed candidate)
  • 公認(こうにん)()る (obtain official approval)
  • 公認(こうにん)される (be officially recognized)

In casual contexts, 公認(こうにん) can describe situations that are openly acknowledged even without formal certification, such as a couple whose relationship is known and accepted by those around them.