Translation guide
A certificate is an official document that proves something, such as completion of a course, ownership, or a legal status. In Japanese, the word used depends heavily on the type of certificate and context.
Do you have a gift certificate?
A document proving you finished a course, passed an exam, or hold a qualification.
Most common for course completion certificates, like finishing a class or training program.
I received a certificate of completion from the Japanese language school.
Specifically for passing an exam or test.
Used for official certification of skills or qualifications, often by an organization.
A government or official document that certifies a fact, such as birth, marriage, residence, or ownership.
A paper or digital document that can be exchanged for goods or services.
A document representing ownership of shares or a financial instrument.
English 'certificate' covers many concepts. In Japanese, you must specify the type. Using 証明書 for a course completion sounds unnatural; use 修了証 instead.
修了証 is for completing a course or program, while 卒業証書 is specifically a graduation diploma from a school (e.g., high school or university).
At city hall or government offices, you often request 証明書 (e.g., 住民票の写し, 印鑑証明書). The word 'certificate' is not always used in the English sense; sometimes it's just a 'copy' or 'extract'.
Since I passed the exam, I had a certificate of passing issued.
This certificate proves that you have been certified as a project manager.
Specifically a graduation diploma or certificate from a school.
I have my university diploma framed and displayed.
General term for any official certificate that proves a fact. Combine with specific words, e.g., 出生証明書 (birth certificate).
To apply for a passport, you need certificates such as a copy of your family register or a certificate of residence.
Attach to a noun to specify the type of certificate. E.g., 在籍証明書 (enrollment certificate), 健康診断証明書 (health check certificate).
Please submit a certificate of employment to the company.
Formal term for a deed or bond-like certificate, often used in legal or financial contexts (e.g., 賞状証書 for award certificates). Less common in daily life.
This certificate proves that you are a shareholder.
Gift certificate for purchasing goods, often used in department stores or as a present.
I gave a department store gift certificate as a year-end gift.
General term for gift voucher/certificate, often for specific services or online stores.
I sent an Amazon gift certificate by email.
Book gift certificate, though now largely replaced by 図書カード.
I used to often receive book gift certificates as presents.
Stock certificate. Note that in modern Japan, physical stock certificates are rare; most holdings are electronic.
In the past, stock certificates were issued on paper, but now they are electronic.
General term for securities, including stocks and bonds. Often used in compound words like 証券会社 (securities company).
I bought stocks at a securities company.
She framed her teaching certificate.
Teaching certificate/license is 教員免許状.