Level 6

증명하다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '증명하다' means 'to prove' or 'to demonstrate' something clearly, often by providing evidence or logical reasoning. It is commonly used in formal contexts such as legal, scientific, or official situations.

Common Contexts

  • Legal: proving innocence or guilt
  • Scientific: proving theories or hypotheses through experiments
  • Official: proving identity or qualifications with documents

Collocations and Patterns

  • 증명하다 + noun (e.g., 무죄를 증명하다 - prove innocence)
  • 증명서를 제출하다 (submit a certificate to prove something)
  • 증명할 수 있다/없다 (can/cannot prove)

Register and Politeness

'증명하다' is a formal verb and is appropriate in written language, official documents, and formal speech. In casual conversation, simpler verbs like '보여주다' (to show) might be used instead.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '증명하다' with '증거' (evidence). Remember, '증명하다' is the action 'to prove,' while '증거' is the evidence itself. Also, avoid using '증명하다' for subjective opinions; it is used for objective proof.

Example Sentences

그는 자신의 무죄를 증명하기 위해 많은 증거를 제출했다.

Geuneun jasinui mujoeul jeungmyeonghagi wihae manheun jeunggeoreul jeopsulhaetda.

He submitted a lot of evidence to prove his innocence.

과학자는 실험을 통해 이론을 증명하려고 노력한다.

Gwahakjaneun silheomeul tonghae iron-eul jeungmyeongharyeogo noryeokhanda.

Scientists try to prove theories through experiments.

이 서류는 당신의 신분을 증명하는 데 필요합니다.

I seoryuneun dangsinui sinbuneul jeungmyeonghaneun de piryohamnida.

These documents are necessary to prove your identity.