General term for something that demonstrates a fact or claim. Often used in legal, logical, or everyday contexts.
彼の無実の証はまだ見つかっていない。
Proof of his innocence has not yet been found.
His tears served as proof of genuine regret.
その写真が彼の主張の証になった。
The photograph served as evidence for his claim.
certificate; license; ID card
Used as a suffix to form words for official documents, permits, or cards that prove status or permission. Common in compounds like 学生証 (student ID) or 免許証 (license).
図書館に入るには、学生証が必要です。
You need your student ID card to enter the library.
運転するときは、免許証を携帯してください。
Please carry your driver's license when driving.
Buddhist term for spiritual awakening or realization. Rare in everyday language; mainly encountered in religious or philosophical contexts.
彼は長年の修行の末に証を得たと言われている。
It is said that he attained enlightenment after many years of training.
symptoms (Chinese medicine); patient's condition
Technical term in traditional Chinese medicine referring to the pattern of symptoms or the patient's overall condition. Not used in standard modern medical contexts.
漢方では、患者の証に合わせて処方を決める。
In Kampo medicine, the prescription is determined according to the patient's symptom pattern.
入館の際には証を提示してください。
Please show your ID when entering the building.
The university issues certificates to its graduates.
証明書 is the everyday word for a certificate document, while 証 is the more formal or suffix-like term for the same idea (as in 学生証).
悟り is the common Japanese term for Buddhist enlightenment, while 証 is a more technical Buddhist term for the same realization.
証明 is the act of proving something or a formal proof, whereas 証 refers to the proof itself, as a thing or document.
proof; verification; certification
evidence; proof
guarantee; assurance; security · warranty
verification; inspection; validation
testimony; verbal evidence
certification; authentication; attestation · Imperial attestation
security; bond; certificate
demonstration; verification; substantiation; actual proof
The kanji 証 combines 言 (speech) and 正 (correct), suggesting the idea of verifying or proving through words. The reading しょう is the on'yomi. The word is used in various compounds and as a standalone noun.
witness
Tokyo Stock Exchange
proof; demonstration; substantiation
certificate; document of proof; bond; deed
conclusive evidence; positive proof; confirmation
password; PIN; code
authentication; notarization
counterevidence; disproof; rebuttal
historical investigation; study of historical evidence
false evidence; perjury; false testimony
proof; demonstration; argumentation
physical evidence; real evidence; material evidence
visa · endorsing; stamping
impression; mental image · judge's conviction; strong belief (legal)
evidence; proof · witness; testimony
supporting evidence; corroboration
exemplification; illustration; example
prove; verify · guarantee; promise
certification stamp; inspection stamp
written deed; bond; contract
simplified receipt; hand-written receipt
stock exchange; securities exchange