How to say "evidence" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 証拠しょうこnounEvidence as proof: facts, objects, or testimony that establish something is true, the word you reach for in court cases, investigations, and everyday argument.
- 証あかしnounProof or testimony that attests to something, or a sign that shows it; for material evidence in a court or investigation, 証拠 is the word you want.
- 形跡けいせきnounEvidence as traces or telltale signs that someone or something has been present or that something has happened, rather than proof supporting a claim.
- 跡形あとかたnounA trace or vestige of something that existed and is now gone; it really means what remains behind, so it is seldom the word for evidence as proof.
- 痕跡こんせきnounA trace, mark, or vestige left by something that was present or once existed; like the other trace words, not used for evidence as proof in an argument.
Choose 証拠 for evidence as proof establishing a fact (courts, investigations, arguments); 証 for attesting proof, testimony, or a sign; and 形跡, 跡形, 痕跡 for evidence as traces or vestiges left behind.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 証拠しょうこevidence
- 証あかしproof
- 形跡けいせきtraces
- 跡形あとかたtrace
- 痕跡こんせきtrace
- 裏付けうらづけsupport (e.g. for an argument)
- エビデンスevidence
- 証しょうproof
- 証左しょうさevidence
- 信証しんしょうevidence
- 事跡じせきevidence
- 証拠物件しょうこぶっけんevidence
- 証拠物しょうこぶつevidence
- 罪証ざいしょうevidence (of a crime)
- エビevidence
- 証跡しょうせきproof
- 証拠品しょうこひんpiece of evidence
- 明証めいしょうproof
- 証言しょうげんtestimony
- 材料ざいりょうgrounds (for a decision, judgement, etc.)
- ねたproof
- しるしevidence
- プルーフproof
See also
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