证据

• Pinyin: zhèng jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 证 = 讠(speech) + 正 (correct), meaning 'proof'; 据 = 扌(hand) + 居 (to reside), meaning 'basis, according to'

Meaning

Evidence; proof. Information or material used to support or demonstrate a fact or claim.

Used in both legal and everyday contexts. In legal settings, it refers to formal evidence (提供证据 = provide evidence). In daily life, it can mean proof of any kind (有什么证据 = what evidence do you have). Commonly collocated with verbs like 收集 (collect), 提供 (provide), and 找 (find).

Examples

1. 警察正在收集犯罪的证据。 The police are collecting evidence of the crime.
2. 你有什么证据证明这件事？ What evidence do you have to prove this matter?
3. 没有证据就不能随便说别人的坏话。 You shouldn't speak ill of others without evidence.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, discussion, everyday

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 你有证据吗？(Do you have evidence?)
• 这些照片可以作为证据。(These photos can serve as evidence.)

Don't Say

• 我有感觉的证据。(Feelings are not 证据 — 证据 refers to objective, verifiable proof; say 我有这种感觉 for expressing a feeling)

Origin & History

证 (proof, to prove) + 据 (basis, according to). Together: the basis for proof — evidence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal