免状

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 免状 is a noun read めんじょう, meaning a certificate or license recognizing a skill or qualification.
• Basic usage: Use 師匠から免状を授かる for receiving certification from a master and 免状を額に入れて飾る for displaying the document in a frame.
  • 師匠から書道の免状を授かった。 describes receiving a calligraphy certificate from one's master; 古い免状が額に入れて飾られていた。 describes an old certificate displayed in a frame.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 師匠から授かる
  • から marks the master as the source, while 授かる presents the qualification as something formally bestowed.
• 書道の免状
  • の links the certificate to the field of calligraphy.
• 額に入れて飾る
  • に identifies the frame holding the certificate and describes the document as being put on display.