Translation guide
The English verb "accept" covers a wide range of situations, from receiving objects to agreeing with ideas. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being accepted and the nuance involved.
To take something that is given, offered, or presented.
The most common and neutral word for physically or figuratively receiving something.
彼からのプレゼントを受け取った。
I accepted the gift from him.
書類を受け取ってください。
Please accept the documents.
Casual and common for receiving something from someone, often implying gratitude. Less formal than 受け取る.
友達からお土産をもらった。
I accepted a souvenir from my friend.
Humble form of もらう, used when receiving from a superior or in formal situations.
社長からお言葉を頂きました。
I accepted the words from the company president.
To say yes to a suggestion, plan, or belief.
To accept an idea, condition, or person; implies willingness to incorporate or allow.
彼の提案を受け入れた。
I accepted his proposal.
新しい文化を受け入れるのは大切だ。
It's important to accept new cultures.
Formal agreement, often used for official offers or requests.
彼はその条件を承諾した。
He accepted the conditions.
To accept a task, responsibility, or challenge; implies taking on a burden.
Very casual, often used in spoken Japanese to mean 'accept' or 'agree'.
彼の誘いをOKした。
I accepted his invitation.
To recognize that something is true or valid, often reluctantly.
To admit or acknowledge a fact, often used when accepting an unpleasant reality.
彼は自分の間違いを認めた。
He accepted his mistake.
現実を認めるのは難しい。
It's hard to accept reality.
To accept and deal with a situation or feedback, often emotionally.
To accept something unpleasant without trying to change it.
To endure or put up with something, often used for personal discomfort.
彼の態度を我慢できない。
I can't accept his attitude.
To accept something unpleasant willingly, often used in formal or written contexts.
その結果を甘受する。
I accept the consequences.
To allow use of a particular payment type.
The most natural way to say a place accepts a payment method. Literally 'can use'.
この店はクレジットカードが使えます。
This store accepts credit cards.
More formal, often seen in written notices.
当店では電子マネーは利用可能です。
We accept electronic money.
受け取る is for receiving physical items or messages. 受け入れる is for accepting abstract things like ideas, conditions, or people. Do not use 受け取る for accepting a proposal.
Avoid directly translating 'accept' as アクセプトする, which is rarely used outside technical contexts. Use the appropriate Japanese verb based on the nuance.
あなたの謝罪を受け入れます。
I accept your apology.
彼女は仕事のオファーを引き受けた。
She accepted the job offer.
その仕事を引き受けた。
I accepted the job.
批判を真摯に受け止める。
To accept criticism sincerely.