What does it mean word for word?
The word 身分証明書 is composed of 身分 (mibun), which means 'social status/identity' and 証明書 (shōmeisho), which means 'certificate'.
Which one should you use?
While 身分証明書 is a standard term, there are several variations. In casual everyday conversation, speakers often use the English abbreviation ID (pronounced ai-dī). In some tech-related contexts, the word トークン is occasionally used to refer to an ID card. For very formal purposes, one might use アイデンティティーカード for "identity card" or 本人確認書類 to refer to "documents for personal identification".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
身分証明書 is a formal term. For highly formal contexts, you can use アイデンティティーカード or 本人確認書類. Conversely, in casual or informal settings, it is common to use the katakana loanword ID (ai-dī) or even the term トークン in technical environments.
How do you pronounce it?
mibun shōmeisho
Did you know?
- In Japan, the 免許証 or driver's license is the most common form of 身分証明書 because Japan does not have a mandatory national internal identity card for all citizens.
- When presenting a 身分証明書 to a clerk or official, it is a common cultural gesture to offer the card with both hands as a sign of politeness.
- The word 身分 in 身分証明書 originally referred to one's caste or rank in the strict social hierarchy of feudal Japan.
Examples in context
- 身分証明書を見せて。Show me your ID card.This sentence is useful for practicing asking someone to show their ID card using 身分証明書.Tatoeba #10640248 by small_snow, translation #5203273 by CK
- 身分証明書はありますか？Do you have any ID?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses any ID using 身分証明書.Tatoeba #9979567 by bunbuku, translation #269835 by Vortarulo
- 身分証明書をお願いします。May I see your ID?This sentence is useful for politely requesting to see someone's ID using 身分証明書.Tatoeba #10640253 by small_snow, translation #2994680 by CK
- クラブに入る時、IDを見せないと入れないことがあります。Sometimes you need to show your ID to enter clubs.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A clerk at a rental shop is checking a customer's ID.
- 美咲 Misaki身分証明書を見せていただけますか？mibun shōmeisho o misete itadakemasu ka?Could you show me your identification?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、これです。hai, kore desu.Yes, here it is.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんの身分証明書ですね。確認します。Yōta-san no mibun shōmeisho desu ne. kakunin shimasu.This is Yota's identification. I will check it.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫ですか？daijōbu desu ka?Is it okay?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 身分証明書, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
