公印(こういん)

こういん
noun
official seal; public seal
1. official seal; public seal; institutional seal
A seal used by a government office, public organization, or company to authenticate official documents. Distinct from personal seals.
書類(しょるい)に公印(こういん)を押(お)す。
To stamp an official seal on a document.
この証明書(しょうめいしょ)には公印(こういん)が必要(ひつよう)です。
An official seal is required on this certificate.
市役所(しやくしょ)の公印(こういん)がない書類(しょるい)は無効(むこう)になる。
Documents without the city office's official seal are invalid.

Composed of 公(こう) (public, official) and 印(いん) (seal, stamp). In Japan, seals (印鑑(いんかん)) play an important role in authenticating documents. A 公印(こういん) is the institutional equivalent, used by government offices, schools, and organizations to certify official documents.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 公印(こういん)を押(お)す: to stamp with an official seal
  • 公印(こういん)が必要(ひつよう): an official seal is required
  • 公印(こういん)省略(しょうりゃく): omission of the official seal (common on digitized documents)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 印鑑(いんかん): personal seal — a registered seal used by individuals
  • 社印(しゃいん): company seal — the official seal of a corporation
  • 実印(じついん): registered seal — a personal seal officially registered with the local government
  • 認印(みとめいん): informal seal — used for everyday acknowledgments
general
Added 2026.4.9 6:26
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