noun HSK 4
Traditional 證書
zhèng shū
certificate · credentials · diploma

Meaning

证书 refers to an official document that certifies a person's qualifications, achievements, or completion of something. It can be academic certificates, professional credentials, awards, or any formal documentation proving one has met certain standards or requirements.

Usage

This is a formal, official term used in educational, professional, and legal contexts. Native speakers commonly use it when discussing qualifications for jobs, educational achievements, or professional licensing. It's more formal than everyday conversation and appears frequently in job applications and academic settings.

Examples

  1. 01
    他拿到了英语六级证书
    dào le Yīngyǔ liù zhèng shū.
    He obtained the CET-6 English certificate.
  2. 02
    这家公司要求应聘者有相关的职业资格证书
    Zhè jiā gōng yāo qiú yìng pìn zhě yǒu xiāng guān de zhí zhèng shū.
    This company requires applicants to have relevant professional qualification certificates.

Characters

Measure words

  • zhāng一张证书
  • fèn一份证书

Common collocations

  • 毕业证书
    zhèng shū
    graduation certificate
  • 获得证书
    huò zhèng shū
    to obtain a certificate
  • 颁发证书
    bān zhèng shū
    to issue a certificate
  • 资格证书
    zhèng shū
    qualification certificate

Origin

The word combines 证 (proof/to prove) with 书 (document/书), literally meaning 'proof document' or 'certification document.' This reflects its function as official written proof of qualifications or achievements.

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