Translation guide
An official seal is a stamp or impression used by a government office, company, or organization to authenticate documents. In Japan, seals (hanko/inkan) are central to official and business life, but the English concept of an 'official seal' often refers to the physical mark or the legal act of sealing. This guide covers how to express this in Japanese, from physical stamps to the act of affixing them.
Referring to the physical object or the mark it makes, used by an organization or government body.
The standard term for an official seal used by a government office or public institution. Refers to the seal itself or its impression.
この書類には市長の公印が必要です。
This document requires the mayor's official seal.
Specifically a government official's seal, often used in historical or formal contexts.
その古文書には官印が押されていた。
The ancient document bore an official government seal.
A company seal, used for official corporate documents. Common in business contexts.
契約書に社印を押してください。
Please affix the company seal to the contract.
A registered personal seal used for important contracts, but can be considered an 'official seal' when used for legal purposes. Requires registration at a municipal office.
実印と印鑑証明書をご持参ください。
Please bring your registered seal and seal registration certificate.
Describing the action of stamping or sealing a document officially.
To affix an official seal. The verb 押す (osu) is used for stamping.
担当者が公印を押しました。
The person in charge affixed the official seal.
A formal verb meaning 'to seal' or 'to affix a seal'. Often used in official procedures.
この欄に押印してください。
Please affix your seal in this field.
Another formal verb for 'to seal', commonly used in legal and business documents.
契約書に捺印の上、ご返送ください。
Please seal the contract and return it.
Referring to the seal as a representation of official power or authenticity, often in abstract contexts.
A general term for a seal or stamp, often used for official or artistic seals. Can imply the symbol of authority.
この印章は市の公式なものです。
This seal is the city's official one.
Refers specifically to the imperial seal or a sovereign's seal. Highly formal and historical.
天皇の璽が押された文書。
A document bearing the imperial seal.
When a document is certified as true or official by a seal, often in legal or administrative settings.
A certification seal used to verify copies or documents. Common in administrative procedures.
このコピーに認証印を押してください。
Please stamp this copy with the certification seal.
The seal of a notary public, used for notarized documents.
この書類には公証人の印が必要です。
This document requires a notary's seal.
公印 (kouin) is an official seal of a public office. 実印 (jitsuin) is a personally registered seal used for important contracts. 認印 (mitome-in) is an unregistered personal seal for everyday use. Do not confuse them: an 'official seal' in English usually corresponds to 公印 or 社印, not a personal seal.
The word 'seal' can mean the animal (アザラシ). In the context of official stamps, always use 印鑑 (inkan), 印章 (inshou), or specific terms like 公印.
その文書には省の公印が押されている。
The document bears the official seal of the ministry.
こちらに社印を押してください。
Please affix the company's official seal here.