zhèngmíng: 证明 - to Prove, Proof, Evidence, Certificate

• Keywords: 证明, zhengming, prove in Chinese, evidence in Chinese, certificate in Chinese, how to say proof in Chinese, Chinese word for evidence, legal Chinese, official documents in China, zhengming meaning.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 证明 (zhèngmíng), which means “to prove,” “proof,” or “certificate.” This comprehensive guide covers its use in legal, academic, and personal contexts, from providing evidence in court to getting an official document from your employer. Understand the cultural significance of “proof” in Chinese bureaucracy and learn how to use 证明 (zhèngmíng) correctly to avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhèng míng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4 (Verb), HSK 5 (Noun)
• Concise Definition: To use evidence to make something clear; to prove; proof or a certificate.
• In a Nutshell: 证明 (zhèngmíng) is the go-to word for anything related to proving a point, verifying a fact, or presenting official proof. It has a formal and concrete feeling, whether you're proving a mathematical theorem, providing evidence in a legal dispute, or simply getting a “proof of employment” document from your company. It's a cornerstone word for navigating official and formal situations in China.

• 证 (zhèng): This character combines the “speech” radical 言 (yán) with the phonetic component 正 (zhèng), which means “correct” or “proper.” So, 证 originally meant “to testify” or “correct speech”—a statement that attests to a fact. Today it means “proof,” “evidence,” or “to certify.”
• 明 (míng): This is a beautiful and ancient character combining the 日 (rì), the sun, and 月 (yuè), the moon. Together, these two sources of light mean “bright,” “clear,” or “to understand.”
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to prove clear” or “testimony to clarity.” 证明 (zhèngmíng) is the act of using testimony or evidence (证) to make something bright and clear (明) for all to see.

The concept of “proof” is universal, but 证明 (zhèngmíng) carries a specific weight in Chinese culture, especially concerning bureaucracy. While in the West a signature or a notarized letter might suffice, in China, a formal 证明 (zhèngmíng) document, often bearing an official red ink stamp (公章 gōngzhāng), is the gold standard of authenticity. This emphasis on stamped, official proof is a cornerstone of navigating daily life. You need a 证明 for almost everything: a 收入证明 (shōurù zhèngmíng) (proof of income) for a loan, a 在职证明 (zàizhí zhèngmíng) (proof of employment) for a visa, or even a 无犯罪记录证明 (wú fànzuì jìlù zhèngmíng) (proof of no criminal record). This has sometimes led to infamous bureaucratic hurdles, satirized by the popular phrase “证明你妈是你妈” (zhèngmíng nǐ mā shì nǐ mā)—“prove your mom is your mom.” This phrase arose from a real-life scenario where a citizen was asked for an official document to prove his kinship, highlighting public frustration with overly rigid procedures. For a learner, understanding 证明 is not just about language; it's about understanding the high value placed on formal, documented verification in Chinese society.

证明 is a versatile word used in various formal and informal contexts.

• As a Formal Document (Noun): This is one of its most common uses. It refers to an official paper that certifies a fact. The pattern is often 开一个证明 (kāi yī ge zhèngmíng), meaning “to issue a certificate/proof.”
• As Legal Evidence (Noun): In a legal setting, 证明 can refer to the body of proof or evidence that supports a case. It's often used interchangeably with the more specific term 证据 (zhèngjù).
• As an Action (Verb): In academics, debates, or personal conversations, 证明 means “to prove” something. It implies a logical, evidence-based argument rather than just a simple assertion.

The connotation is generally neutral and formal. In casual conversation, you might use a softer word like 说明 (shuōmíng) - “to explain” or “to show.”

• Example 1:
  • 你需要向公司申请一份收入证明。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào xiàng gōngsī shēnqǐng yī fèn shōurù zhèngmíng.
  • English: You need to apply to the company for a proof of income document.
  • Analysis: Here, 证明 is a noun referring to a specific, official document. This is a very common and practical usage.
• Example 2:
  • 他用行动证明了自己对我们的承诺。
  • Pinyin: Tā yòng xíngdòng zhèngmíng le zìjǐ duì wǒmen de chéngnuò.
  • English: He used his actions to prove his commitment to us.
  • Analysis: Here, 证明 is used as a verb in a more abstract, personal context. The “actions” are the “proof.”
• Example 3:
  • 律师在法庭上出示了新的证明。
  • Pinyin: Lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng chūshì le xīn de zhèngmíng.
  • English: The lawyer presented new proof in court.
  • Analysis: This shows 证明 as a noun for “proof” or “evidence” in a formal, legal context.
• Example 4:
  • 你怎么证明你说的是实话？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme zhèngmíng nǐ shuō de shì shíhuà?
  • English: How can you prove what you're saying is the truth?
  • Analysis: A common question using 证明 as a verb, challenging someone to provide evidence for their claim.
• Example 5:
  • 这个实验的目的是证明一个科学理论。
  • Pinyin: Zhège shíyàn de mùdì shì zhèngmíng yī ge kēxué lǐlùn.
  • English: The purpose of this experiment is to prove a scientific theory.
  • Analysis: 证明 is the standard verb for proving a hypothesis or theory in an academic or scientific context.
• Example 6:
  • 如果没有证明，警察是不会相信你的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu zhèngmíng, jǐngchá shì bù huì xiāngxìn nǐ de.
  • English: If you don't have proof, the police won't believe you.
  • Analysis: 证明 is used here as a general noun for “proof.” Notice how it's treated as an uncountable noun in this context, just like in English.
• Example 7:
  • 请证明您的身份。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zhèngmíng nín de shēnfèn.
  • English: Please prove your identity.
  • Analysis: A formal request you might hear from security or officials. The expected “proof” would be an 身份证 (shēnfènzhèng) or passport.
• Example 8:
  • 事实证明，他是对的。
  • Pinyin: Shìshí zhèngmíng, tā shì duì de.
  • English: The facts prove that he was right.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase where “facts” (事实) serve as the agent that does the “proving.”
• Example 9:
  • 为了办签证，我得去银行开一份存款证明。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bàn qiānzhèng, wǒ děi qù yínháng kāi yī fèn cúnkuǎn zhèngmíng.
  • English: In order to get a visa, I have to go to the bank to get a proof of deposit certificate.
  • Analysis: Another classic example of 开证明 (kāi zhèngmíng), “to issue a proof,” a vital phrase for anyone dealing with bureaucracy in China.
• Example 10:
  • 这足以证明他的清白。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zúyǐ zhèngmíng tā de qīngbái.
  • English: This is enough to prove his innocence.
  • Analysis: 足以 (zúyǐ) means “is sufficient to,” a common adverb placed before 证明 to express that the evidence is adequate.

• 证明 (zhèngmíng) vs. 证据 (zhèngjù): This is a key distinction for learners.
  • 证据 (zhèngjù): Almost exclusively means “evidence,” especially individual pieces of evidence in a legal or investigative context (e.g., fingerprints, a weapon, a witness statement). It's always a noun.
  • 证明 (zhèngmíng): Can be the *act of proving* (verb), the overall *concept of proof* (noun), or a specific *document/certificate* (noun).
  • Good sentence: 律师用很多证据 (zhèngjù) 来证明 (zhèngmíng) 他是无辜的。 (The lawyer used a lot of evidence to prove he was innocent.)
• 证明 (zhèngmíng) vs. 表明 (biǎomíng):
  • 证明 (zhèngmíng) implies a high burden of proof. It's for conclusive, often formal, proof.
  • 表明 (biǎomíng) means “to show,” “to indicate,” or “to make clear.” It's softer and less conclusive.
  • Incorrect: 他的微笑证明他很高兴。(His smile proves he's happy.) - This sounds overly strong and analytical.
  • Correct: 他的微笑表明他很高兴。(His smile shows/indicates he's happy.) - This is much more natural for interpreting feelings or signs.
• Don't overuse it for “show”: Beginners might use 证明 where a simple “show” or “explain” is better. If you're showing someone a photo, you use 看 (kàn). If you're explaining a process, you use 说明 (shuōmíng). Reserve 证明 for when you are logically proving a point.

• 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence. The specific items you use to 证明 something.
• 证书 (zhèngshū) - A certificate or diploma (e.g., graduation certificate). This is a more specific type of document than a general 证明.
• 证实 (zhèngshí) - To confirm, to verify (that a fact is true). Very similar to the verb 证明, but often used to confirm information you've heard.
• 表明 (biǎomíng) - To indicate, make clear. A softer, less formal way to say something “shows” or “suggests” something.
• 说明 (shuōmíng) - To explain, to illustrate. Focuses on making something understood, not necessarily proving it's true.
• 开证明 (kāi zhèngmíng) - A crucial verb-object phrase meaning “to issue an official proof/certificate.”
• 身份证 (shēnfènzhèng) - ID Card. The primary document used to 证明 one's identity in China.
• 论证 (lùnzhèng) - To present a reasoned argument, to demonstrate through argument. More academic and formal than 证明, often used for essays or theses.