证

証/證

zhèng

正 + 讠

HSK 3.0Level 4

Frequency#373

Definitions

zhèng (noun) certificate; proof; evidence

zhèng (verb) to prove; to demonstrate; to confirm

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound. Simplified form of 證.

About

The character "证" is the simplified form of "證", which in its traditional structure combines the semantic component "言" (speech) with the phonetic component "登". This composition originally reflected meanings associated with verbal testimony or authentication. Over centuries, the semantic scope of "證" broadened from acts of verifying or bearing witness to encompass the more general concepts of proof and evidence. The simplified form "证" retains the semantic element through the radical "讠", the simplified version of "言", while substituting the phonetic component with "正", which also carries connotations of correctness. This structural modification streamlined the character without shifting its fundamental meaning related to establishing truth.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请出示证件。

Qǐng chūshì zhèngjiàn.

Please show your identification.

这是他的证明。

Zhè shì tā de zhèngmíng.

This is his proof.

你有证据吗？

Nǐ yǒu zhèngjù ma?

Do you have evidence?

我需要验证一下。

Wǒ xūyào yànzhèng yīxià.

I need to verify it.

请尽快提供相关证明。

Qǐng jǐnkuài tígōng xiāngguān zhèngmíng.

Please provide relevant proof as soon as possible.

如果没有证据，就不能定罪。

Rúguǒ méiyǒu zhèngjù, jiù bùnéng dìngzuì.

If there is no evidence, you cannot convict.

你必须证实这个说法的真实性。

Nǐ bìxū zhèngshí zhège shuōfǎ de zhēnshíxìng.

You must confirm the authenticity of this statement.

经过反复验证，这项技术终于获得了认证。

Jīngguò fǎnfù yànzhèng, zhè xiàng jìshù zhōngyú huòdéle rènzhèng.

After repeated verification, this technology finally obtained certification.

Related Characters

Component: 正

Component: 讠

证