証明書

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 証明書, read しょうめいしょ, is a document certifying a fact.
• Basic usage: It provides documentary evidence of facts such as enrollment or an address.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What is certified
  • In the example, 在学証明書 is a certificate showing that someone is enrolled.
  • The preceding 在学 specifies what is certified.
• Document and action
  • 証明 is the act of proving or certifying; 証明書 is the document that demonstrates the fact.