Meaning and Usage
The word "証拠" (しょうこ) means "evidence" or "proof" and is commonly used in legal, investigative, and everyday contexts where something needs to be proven or verified. It refers to tangible or factual materials that support a claim or assertion.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "証拠" in police investigations, court cases, or any situation where proof is required to confirm the truth. It can refer to physical items, documents, or even testimony that serves as proof.
Collocations and Patterns
- 証拠を集める (しょうこをあつめる): to gather evidence — used when collecting proof for investigation or argument.
- 証拠がある (しょうこがある): to have evidence — indicates that proof exists.
- 証拠不十分 (しょうこふじゅうぶん): insufficient evidence — often used in legal contexts to describe weak or lacking proof.
Register and Nuance
"証拠" is a formal noun and is appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in serious or official contexts. It is not casual and is rarely used in everyday small talk unless discussing serious matters.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "証拠" with "証明" (しょうめい), which means "proof" or "demonstration" but is more abstract and often refers to the act of proving rather than the physical evidence itself. Remember, "証拠" usually refers to concrete evidence.