求证

• Pinyin: qiú zhèng
• Hanzi breakdown: 求 = 求 (seek); 证 = 讠+ 正 (verify/prove — speech that is upright and correct)

Meaning

To seek verification; to look for proof or evidence; to confirm the validity of a claim through investigation.

Used in academic, journalistic, and legal contexts. 无法求证 (unable to verify) is a common fixed phrase. Implies systematic, rigorous evidence-seeking rather than a casual check.

Examples

1. 记者在发稿前多方求证，确保报道内容的真实性与准确性。 Before publishing the story, the reporter verified it through multiple channels to ensure the report was truthful and accurate.
2. 研究团队花费数年时间对这一假设进行反复求证，最终获得了决定性证据。 The research team spent years repeatedly testing and verifying the hypothesis, ultimately obtaining decisive evidence.
3. 这段历史资料来源不明，学界至今仍在积极求证其真实可靠性。 The source of this historical material is unclear, and scholars are still actively trying to verify whether it is authentic and reliable.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, journalism, legal, research

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在得出任何结论之前，研究人员必须对所有实验数据进行严格求证。(Before drawing any conclusions, researchers must rigorously verify all experimental data.)
• 该委员会已就这一指控向多方渠道求证，目前尚未获得确凿的证实。(The committee has sought verification from multiple channels regarding this allegation, but has not yet obtained conclusive confirmation.)

Don't Say

• 我不确定，需要求证一下 — in casual speech, use 确认一下 or 核实一下; 求证 is formal and implies systematic evidence-seeking, not a quick check

Origin & History

求 (seek) + 证 (evidence/proof) — to seek proof or verification

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal