判 子(はんこ)

はんこ

noun

seal, stamp (for signatures)

informal

See also: 印鑑(いんかん) (formal equivalent)

1. seal, stamp, personal seal

A carved stamp used in Japan instead of a handwritten signature for official documents, contracts, and everyday transactions.

契約書(けいやくしょ)に判子(はんこ)を押(お)してください。

Please stamp your seal on the contract.

銀行(ぎんこう)で新(あたら)しい口座(こうざ)を開(ひら)くには判子(はんこ)が必要(ひつよう)です。

You need a seal to open a new bank account.

宅配便(たくはいびん)を受(う)け取(と)るとき、判子(はんこ)かサインが要(い)る。

When receiving a delivery, you need either a seal or a signature.

判子(はんこ) is an essential item in Japanese daily life, used for signing documents, receiving packages, and official paperwork.

Types of seals:

認印(みとめいん) (personal seal for everyday use)
実印(じついん) (registered seal for important documents)
銀行印(ぎんこういん) (bank seal)
シャチハタ (self-inking stamp, brand name often used generically)

Common expressions

判子(はんこ)を押(お)す (to stamp a seal)
判子(はんこ)を作(つく)る (to have a seal made)

Related terms

印鑑(いんかん) (seal - more formal term)
押印(おういん) (stamping a seal - formal)

Cultural note

While signatures are becoming more common, seals remain important in Japan for 銀行(ぎんこう) accounts, contracts, and official documents.

Related Words

Related: 署名(しょめい) (signature)

Related: 捺印(なついん) (stamping a seal)

Compare: 銀行印(ぎんこういん) (bank seal (a personal seal registered with one's bank))

general

Added 2026.1.13 20:59 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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