黙認

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 黙認, read もくにん. Elements for silence and acknowledgment combine to denote knowingly allowing wrongdoing without objecting.
• Basic usage: 違反を黙認する describes the hypothetical toleration of a minor violation, while 不正を黙認する describes an official having continued to condone misconduct.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Not overlooking even a minor violation
  • Even tolerating a small violation makes the rules meaningless. Example: 小さな違反でも黙認すれば規則の意味がなくなる。 — Overlooking even a small violation makes the rules meaningless.
• Tacit approval uncovered by investigation
  • An investigation reveals that the official knowingly condoned misconduct. Example: 担当者が不正を黙認していたことが調査で分かった。 — The investigation found that the official had tacitly condoned the misconduct.