9728
I know that both of these words mean "proof", but I can't figure out what the
difference is, or if there's any at all. Can anyone explain to me the
difference in nuance between these two words?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-10T03:09:38.450
9727
2012-12-10T05:04:40.913
1575
question
nuances
Difference in nuance between 証明 and 証拠?
証明 is used for conceptual proof, e.g. in the mathematical sense.

証拠 is substantial proof in the sense of evidence, like evidence used in court,
e.g. as in the phrase

> 証拠で裏付けられる  
>  to be backed by evidence
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-10T03:32:02.753
9728
2012-12-10T03:32:02.753
1628
9727
answer
Broadly speaking, 証明 is proof and 証拠 is evidence. That is to say, you provide
evidence in order to prove something. Accordingly, 証明 is both a noun and a
verb, but 証拠 is not a verb, or in other words you can 証明する, but you cannot
証拠する.

This [dictionary entry for
証明](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/110248/m0u/%E8%A8%BC%E6%98%8E/) makes
the relationship pretty clear:

> １ ある物事や判断の真偽を、 **証拠を挙げて明らかにすること** 。「身の潔白を―する」「本人であることを―する書類」「身分―」「印鑑―」

Emphasis added. There are legal uses that follow the general English pattern,
for example a judge will use _evidence_ , documented evidence, to make a
decision, to judge if that evidence sufficiently _proves_ the claim.

As stated in the other answer, 証明 also refers to a mathematical proof (論証).
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-10T04:28:27.903
9729
2012-12-10T05:04:40.913
2012-12-10T05:04:40.913
1797
1797
9727
answer