證實 / 证实
zhèngshí
To say confirm in Chinese, use 證實 / 证实 (zhèngshí) when you confirm that something is true. If unsure, use 證實 / 证实. Wiktionary also lists 確認 / 确认 (quèrèn).
Meaning: to assure (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 證實 / 证实 | zhèngshí |
| 確認 / 确认 | quèrèn |
Use 證實 when you prove a theory, validate a fact or confirm the truth of a rumor or statement. 验证 (yànzhèng) mainly means to verify, as in checking that something is authentic or correct.
What does it mean word for word?
證 means to prove or evidence and 實 means real or true. In 確認, 確 means certain and 認 means to recognize.
Which one should you use?
確認 / 确认 (quèrèn) is used when you verify information, check a detail or confirm an appointment.
How does it change in a sentence?
Putting 请 (qǐng) before 确认 turns it into a polite request for confirmation.
How do you pronounce it?
In pinyin it is zhèngshí, with a falling tone and then a rising tone.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 證實 when they simply mean to confirm a booking or a reservation. In those cases use 確認 instead.
Did you know?
- The character 實 in 證實 is a pictograph that originally represented 'fruit' or 'grain', evolving to mean 'solid' and eventually 'truth'.
- The character 認 in 確認 (quèrèn) is the same one used in the word for 'confessing a crime'.
- In digital slang, people often 'confirm' they have received a message by sending just the number '1' or the characters 收到 ('received') instead of using 確認.
Examples in context
- 请你确认一下这份文件的准确性。(Qǐng nǐ quèrén yíxià zhè fèn wénjiàn de zhǔnquèxìng.)Please confirm the accuracy of this document.
- 我需要你们确定会议时间。(Wǒ xūyào nǐmen quèdìng huìyì shíjiān.)I need you to confirm the meeting time.
- 请您验证一下您的身份。(Qǐng nín yànzhèng yíxià nín de shēnfèn.)Please confirm your identity.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “confirm” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
