證

Phono-semantic compound:

言 (언, “speech, words”) — semantic element, indicating that the meaning relates to communication or verbal confirmation.

登 (등, “to ascend, to record”) — phonetic element, giving the sound zhèng and suggesting the idea of making something known or elevated (as in public proof).

The original sense of the character was “to announce or report clearly through words.”

From this, it evolved into “to verify, to give evidence, to prove by testimony.”

증명 (證明) — proof, demonstration

증거 (證據) — evidence, testimony

논증 (論證) — argumentation, reasoning

면허증 (免許證) — license, certificate

신분증 (身分證) — identification card

In Korean, 證 is a core character in modern bureaucratic and legal vocabulary — used both in formal writing and in everyday documents to indicate certification, validation, or evidence.

In classical Chinese texts, 證 was closely associated with the Buddhist and legal lexicons.

In Buddhism, it refers to enlightened realization or “verification of truth” — e.g., 증과(證果, proof of enlightenment).

In legal and administrative usage, it denotes official certification, proof, or written attestation — a meaning that continues in modern identity and licensing terminology.

Traditional form: 證 (used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea).

Simplified Chinese: 证 (with 訁 → 讠).

Japanese Shinjitai: 証 (reduced form following simplification).