Translation guide
In Japan, personal seals (hanko/inkan) are used in place of signatures for official documents, banking, and everyday transactions. This guide explains how to talk about seals, their types, and their use.
The most common, all-purpose word for a personal seal used for everyday purposes.
The most common, everyday word for a personal seal. Used for informal and semi-formal situations.
ここに判子を押してください。
Please stamp your seal here.
判子を持っていますか？
Do you have your seal?
A slightly more formal term, often used for registered seals or in official contexts.
印鑑登録をしていますか？
Have you registered your seal?
A formal, technical term for a seal or stamp, often used in legal or official documents.
印章を押印してください。
Please affix the seal.
A seal officially registered at a municipal office, used for important contracts, buying property, etc.
The officially registered seal. Its impression is certified by the government.
実印と印鑑証明書が必要です。
You need your registered seal and seal registration certificate.
A casual seal used for daily tasks like receiving packages, internal office paperwork, etc.
An unregistered seal used for non-critical purposes. Often just a surname.
宅配便の受け取りには認印で大丈夫です。
An unregistered seal is fine for receiving parcels.
The specific seal registered with a bank for financial transactions.
The seal registered at your bank. Often different from your jitsuin.
銀行印を忘れたので、お金を下ろせません。
I forgot my bank seal, so I can't withdraw money.
The stamped mark left by a seal.
Refers specifically to the impression made by the seal, not the physical object.
印影がかすれています。
The seal impression is faint.
The official document proving a seal is registered.
Often required together with the jitsuin for important transactions.
印鑑証明書は市役所で取得できます。
You can obtain a seal registration certificate at the city hall.
The container used to carry a seal.
A case for carrying one or more seals. Often made of leather or plastic.
印鑑ケースをカバンに入れてください。
Please put the seal case in your bag.
The verb for applying a seal to a document.
The most common way to say 'to stamp one's seal'.
領収書に判子を押してください。
Please stamp the receipt.
A formal verb meaning 'to affix a seal', used in official contexts.
契約書に捺印してください。
Please affix your seal to the contract.
While signatures are becoming more accepted, seals are still required for many official procedures. Foreigners can often use a signature, but having a seal can simplify processes like opening a bank account.
If you lose your jitsuin, report it immediately to the police and your municipal office. It can be used for identity theft.