证 meaning and stroke order
Certificate; proof; to prove
How to write 证, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Meaning of 证
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to admonish
- variant of 證|证[zheng4]
- certificate
- proof
- to prove
- to demonstrate
How 证 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. To speak 讠 the truth 正; 正 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 讠 (words), shared by 144 characters on this site.
How to remember 证
证 is speech 讠 plus 正 (zhèng, correct or upright). To prove something is to speak 讠 what is correct 正, and 正 also gives the sound zhèng.
证 rarely stands alone. It appears in verbs like 证明 (zhèngmíng, to prove) and 保证 (bǎozhèng, to guarantee), and as a suffix for official documents, as in 身份证 (shēnfènzhèng, ID card) and 签证 (qiānzhèng, visa). Example: 请出示你的身份证。(Qǐng chūshì nǐ de shēnfènzhèng.) Please show your ID card.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes write 正 (zhèng) alone when they mean 证, because the two sound identical. Remember that 证 needs the speech radical 讠 whenever the meaning is proof or a document.
Common words with 证
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | guarantee; to guarantee | HSK 3 |
| 证明 | zhèngmíng | proof; certificate | HSK 3 |
| 证据 | zhèngjù | evidence; proof | HSK 3 |
| 身份证 | shēnfènzhèng | identity card; ID | HSK 3 |
| 证件 | zhèngjiàn | certificate; papers; credentials; document; ID | HSK 3 |
| 证实 | zhèngshí | to confirm (sth to be true); to verify | HSK 5 |
| 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa; to issue a visa | HSK 5 |
| 证书 | zhèngshū | credentials; certificate | HSK 5 |
| 证人 | zhèngrén | witness | HSK 7-9 |
| 见证 | jiànzhèng | to be witness to; witness | HSK 7-9 |
| 通行证 | tōngxíngzhèng | a pass (authority to enter); a laissez-passer or safe conduct | HSK 7-9 |
| 许可证 | xǔkězhèng | license; authorization | HSK 7-9 |
| 验证 | yànzhèng | to inspect and verify; experimental verification | HSK 7-9 |
| 认证 | rènzhèng | to authenticate; to approve | HSK 7-9 |
证 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 证
How many strokes are in 证?
证 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 证 mean?
证 (zhèng) means certificate; proof; to prove. A common word with it is 保证 (bǎozhèng), meaning "guarantee; to guarantee".
How do you pronounce 证?
证 is pronounced zhèng, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 证?
The radical of 证 is 讠, which carries the idea of "words". Dictionaries list 证 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 证?
The traditional form of 证 is 証 and 證. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 证 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 证 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 证 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 证明 and 证实?
证明 (zhèngmíng) means to prove or show something with evidence, and it can also be a noun for a certificate. 证实 (zhèngshí) means to confirm that something already suspected or reported is true.
Why do so many document names end in 证?
As a suffix, 证 marks an official card or certificate that proves something about you. Examples include 身份证 (ID card), 学生证 (xuéshēngzhèng, student card), and 驾驶证 (jiàshǐzhèng, driver's license).