证明
zhèngmíng · HSK 3
proof
📜 证明 = evidence + clear/bright; make the truth clear with proof
证 means evidence or certificate; 明 means bright or clear (sun 日 + moon 月). Together: to make something clear through evidence — to prove or testify.
证 — speech radical 讠 + 正 (correct/upright)
证 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The speech radical 讠 (言) signals it relates to words or testimony, while 正 (zhèng, 'upright/correct') gives the sound and hints at 'verifying truth.' Originally written 證, it meant to testify or prove; today it means evidence, certificate, or to prove.