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.
商品券はありますか？
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.
日本語学校の修了証をもらいました。
I received a certificate of completion from the Japanese language school.
Specifically for passing an exam or test.
試験に合格したので、合格証を発行してもらいました。
Since I passed the exam, I had a certificate of passing issued.
Used for official certification of skills or qualifications, often by an organization.
この認定証は、あなたがプロジェクトマネージャーとして認定されたことを証明します。
This certificate proves that you have been certified as a project manager.
Specifically a graduation diploma or certificate from a school.
大学の卒業証書を額に入れて飾っています。
I have my university diploma framed and displayed.
A government or official document that certifies a fact, such as birth, marriage, residence, or ownership.
General term for any official certificate that proves a fact. Combine with specific words, e.g., 出生証明書 (birth certificate).
パスポートを申請するには、戸籍謄本や住民票などの証明書が必要です。
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).
会社に在籍証明書を提出してください。
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.
A paper or digital document that can be exchanged for goods or services.
Gift certificate for purchasing goods, often used in department stores or as a present.
お歳暮にデパートの商品券を贈りました。
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.
Book gift certificate, though now largely replaced by 図書カード.
A document representing ownership of shares or a financial instrument.
Stock certificate. Note that in modern Japan, physical stock certificates are rare; most holdings are electronic.
昔は株券を紙で発行していましたが、今は電子化されています。
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).
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'.
This certificate proves that you are a shareholder.
Amazonギフト券をメールで送りました。
I sent an Amazon gift certificate by email.
I used to often receive book gift certificates as presents.
証券会社で株を買いました。
I bought stocks at a securities company.