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증언하다

C1 verb #8,000 most common 8 min read

증언하다

To give evidence or testimony, typically in a formal setting.

jeung-eonhada Top 8,000

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '증언하다' yourself, but you can think of it as a very special way of 'speaking' in a court. Imagine a person standing in front of a judge and saying what they saw. In simple Korean, we usually say '말하다' (to speak) or '이야기하다' (to talk). '증언하다' is like 'speaking the truth in a very important place.' Even though it is a difficult word, you might see it in pictures of a courtroom. Just remember: it means 'to tell what you saw' in a formal way.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that '증언하다' is used in news or movies about police and judges. It is a verb made from '증언' (testimony) and '하다' (to do). You might use it in a simple sentence like '그는 경찰서에서 증언해요' (He testifies at the police station), although '진술해요' is more common there. The key is to know that this word is much more formal than '말해요.' It's about being a witness (증인). If you see a car accident and tell the police exactly what happened, you are giving a kind of testimony.

At the B1 level, you should recognize '증언하다' as a formal verb used in legal and official contexts. You might encounter it in reading passages about social issues or history. It's important to differentiate it from '주장하다' (to insist/claim). While '주장하다' is about your opinion, '증언하다' is about the facts you witnessed. You can start using it in sentences like '목격자가 사고에 대해 증언했습니다' (The witness testified about the accident). Notice the use of the particle '-에 대해' (about) to show the topic of the testimony.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable seeing '증언하다' in news articles and legal dramas. You understand that it carries legal weight and that '위증' (perjury/false testimony) is a crime. You can use more complex patterns like '-라고 증언하다' (to testify that...). For example, '그는 범인이 칼을 들고 있었다고 증언했습니다' (He testified that the criminal was holding a knife). You also begin to see its metaphorical use, such as how an old building might 'testify' (증언하다) to the history of a city.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '증언하다.' You can distinguish it from '진술하다' (to state), '공술하다' (to depose), and '입증하다' (to prove). You understand its role in historical discourse, such as the 'oral testimonies' (구술 증언) of comfort women or war survivors. You can use the word in academic or formal writing to discuss the reliability of witnesses or the importance of historical records. You are also aware of the honorific forms and the specific particles required to make your speech sound natural and professional in a formal setting.

At the C2 level, '증언하다' is a tool for precise legal, philosophical, and historical analysis. You can discuss the 'epistemological value of testimony' (증언의 인식론적 가치) or the 'legal requirements for admissible testimony' (허용 가능한 증언의 법적 요건). You use the word effortlessly in debates about justice, truth, and memory. You understand how the word functions in classical literature versus modern legal codes. Your usage reflects an understanding of the gravity of the act—how '증언하다' is a bridge between private experience and public truth.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

증언하다 in 30 Seconds

증언하다 means to testify or give evidence in a formal, legal, or historical context.
It is used for witnesses (증인) in courtrooms, hearings, or for recording historical survivors' accounts.
The word is very formal and carries legal weight; lying while testifying is a crime (위증).
Commonly paired with particles like -에 대해 (about) or -라고 (that...), and occurs in news and legal dramas.

The Korean verb 증언하다 (jeung-eon-hada) is a high-level term primarily used in legal, formal, and historical contexts. At its core, it translates to 'to testify' or 'to give evidence.' Unlike the common verb '말하다' (to speak), 증언하다 carries a significant weight of responsibility and truthfulness. When a person decides to 증언하다, they are not merely sharing an opinion; they are providing a factual account of events they witnessed, often under oath or in an official capacity where their words have legal consequences.

Legal Context: In a courtroom setting, a witness (증인) is called to the stand to 증언하다. This involves swearing an oath to tell the truth and then answering questions from lawyers or judges. The act of testifying is crucial for the judicial process to determine the facts of a case.

그는 법정에서 사고 당시의 상황을 상세히 증언하다. (He testified in detail about the situation at the time of the accident in court.)

Historical Context: Beyond the law, 증언하다 is used when survivors of historical events share their experiences to preserve history. For instance, survivors of the Korean War or victims of human rights abuses 증언하다 to ensure their stories are recorded for future generations.

In daily life, you won't hear this word used for casual storytelling. You wouldn't use it to say 'I told my friend about the movie.' Instead, it is reserved for situations where the 'truth' is being established in a public or formal record. It implies that the speaker is an eyewitness or has direct knowledge of a specific event. In modern Korean society, the act of 증언하다 is often associated with courage, as coming forward to testify against powerful entities or in complex criminal cases can be daunting. Therefore, the word often appears in news headlines regarding whistleblowers or key witnesses in high-profile trials.

목격자는 피고인의 알리바이가 거짓임을 증언했다. (The witness testified that the defendant's alibi was a lie.)

Nuance Comparison: While '진술하다' (to state/make a statement) is also used in legal contexts, 증언하다 specifically refers to the act of giving testimony as a witness, often in a trial, whereas '진술하다' can refer to any formal statement made to police or investigators during an inquiry.

Ultimately, 증언하다 is a word that connects individual memory to the collective pursuit of justice. It is a cornerstone of the legal system and historical preservation, making it an essential term for anyone looking to understand Korean news, law, or history at an advanced level.

Using 증언하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical patterns and the formal nature of the situations it describes. Since it is a '하다' verb derived from a Hanja noun (증언), it follows standard conjugation rules but is almost always used in formal or polite speech styles (하십시오체 or 해요체) due to its context.

Common Grammatical Patterns: 1. [Person]이/가 [Event]에 대해 증언하다 (Person testifies about an event). 2. [Person]이/가 [Statement]-라고 증언하다 (Person testifies that [statement]). 3. [Person]이/가 [Person]을 위해 증언하다 (Person testifies for/on behalf of someone).

그는 자신이 직접 본 것을 그대로 증언하기로 결심했습니다. (He decided to testify exactly as he had seen it.)

When you want to specify what someone is testifying about, the particle -에 대해 (about) or -을/를 (object) is used. For example, '사건을 증언하다' (to testify about the case). If the testimony involves a quoted statement, the indirect quotation particle -라고 or -고 is attached to the quoted clause.

In passive or descriptive contexts, you might see the noun form 증언 used with other verbs. For example, '증언을 거부하다' (to refuse to testify) or '증언을 채택하다' (to adopt/accept testimony). This versatility allows for precise descriptions of legal maneuvers.

전문가들은 기후 변화의 위험성을 증언하며 대책 마련을 촉구했습니다. (Experts testified to the dangers of climate change and urged for measures to be prepared.)

Advanced Usage: Metaphorical Meaning: Sometimes, 증언하다 is used metaphorically to mean that something 'bears witness' to a fact. For example, '이 흉터는 그날의 고통을 증언하고 있다' (This scar testifies to the pain of that day). This adds a poetic yet powerful layer to the word's usage.

When practicing this word, try to construct sentences that involve a 'who,' a 'where' (usually a court or hearing), and a 'what.' This helps solidify the formal environment in which the word lives. Remember that 증언하다 is an active choice—it involves the will of the speaker to stand up and provide the truth.

If you are a fan of Korean media, particularly 'K-Dramas' or news broadcasts, you will encounter 증언하다 frequently. Its presence usually signals a turning point in a story, where a hidden truth is finally revealed to the public or a court.

Legal Dramas and Movies: Korea has a high volume of legal thrillers (e.g., Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Stranger, Law School). In these shows, the climax often revolves around a witness who is hesitant to 증언하다 because of threats or fear. When they finally take the stand, the judge will ask, '증언하시겠습니까?' (Will you testify?).

드라마 속 주인공은 진실을 밝히기 위해 용기 있게 증언했습니다. (The protagonist in the drama courageously testified to reveal the truth.)

News and Journalism: In real-world news, this word is used during coverage of National Assembly hearings (국정감사) or major criminal trials. Reporters might say, '핵심 증인이 오늘 오후 법정에서 증언할 예정입니다' (A key witness is scheduled to testify in court this afternoon).

You will also hear this word in documentaries or historical programs. When elderly people who lived through the Japanese colonial period or the Korean War share their life stories, they are said to be 증언하다-ing. Their accounts are often referred to as '구술 증언' (oral testimony). This usage highlights the word's role in preserving collective memory and seeking historical justice.

역사의 산증인들이 당시의 비극을 증언하고 있습니다. (Living witnesses of history are testifying to the tragedies of that time.)

In summary, 증언하다 is a word of the 'public sphere.' It is heard in courtrooms, on the news, in history books, and in high-stakes fictional narratives. It is rarely heard in a coffee shop or at a family dinner, unless the family is discussing a legal matter or a significant historical event.

Because 증언하다 is a specialized word, learners often confuse it with other verbs related to speaking or stating facts. Avoiding these mistakes is key to reaching a C1 level of proficiency.

Mistake 1: Using it for casual talking: Learners might say '친구에게 어제 일을 증언했어요' to mean 'I told my friend what happened yesterday.' This is incorrect. 증언하다 requires a formal context. Use '말하다' or '이야기하다' for friends.

❌ 어제 점심에 뭐 먹었는지 증언해 봐. ✅ 어제 점심에 뭐 먹었는지 말해 봐. (Tell me what you ate for lunch yesterday.)

Mistake 2: Confusing with 진술하다 (Statement): While similar, 진술하다 is a broader term for 'making a statement' to authorities. 증언하다 specifically implies being a witness (증인) who provides evidence. A suspect '진술's, but a witness '증언's.

Another common error is related to particles. Some learners use -에게 (to) when they should use -에서 (at/in) or 앞에서 (in front of). You testify in court or before a judge, not 'to' them as if it's a private conversation.

❌ 판사에게 증언했습니다. ✅ 법정에서/판사 앞에서 증언했습니다. (I testified in court/before the judge.)

Finally, remember that 증언하다 is an action verb. Sometimes learners use the noun 증언 where the verb is needed, or vice versa. Ensure you are using the correct form for the sentence structure. '그의 증언은 결정적이었다' (His testimony was decisive) uses the noun, while '그는 결정적인 사실을 증언했다' (He testified to a decisive fact) uses the verb.

To master 증언하다, it's helpful to compare it with related words that deal with truth, speaking, and evidence. This will help you choose the most precise word for any given context.

진술하다 (To State / To Make a Statement): This is the most common alternative. It is used when someone (suspect or witness) gives a formal account to the police or a prosecutor. It is slightly less 'sacred' than 증언하다, which is specifically for court testimony.
증명하다 (To Prove): While 증언하다 is about speaking, 증명하다 is about providing proof, which could be physical evidence, logic, or testimony. You 증언하다 to help 증명하다 someone's innocence.

그의 증언이 무죄를 증명했다. (His testimony proved the innocence.)

고백하다 (To Confess): This is used for admitting a fault, a crime, or even feelings of love. It is more personal and emotional than the objective and formal 증언하다.
입증하다 (To Substantiate / To Establish): A very formal word used in legal and academic contexts to mean proving a fact beyond doubt. It is often the result of several 증언s and pieces of evidence.

In some cases, you might see 공술하다 (to depose/testify), which is an even more technical legal term used in documents. However, for 99% of advanced communication, 증언하다 is the standard term for giving testimony. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to describe legal and formal scenarios with the precision expected of a C1 speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"본인은 법정에서 사실만을 증언할 것을 선서합니다."

Neutral

"그는 어제 재판에서 중요한 사실을 증언했습니다."

Informal

"내가 그때 본 걸 다 증언해 줄게."

Child friendly

"아저씨가 나쁜 사람을 잡으려고 법당에서 말을 했어요. 그걸 증언한다고 해요."

Slang

"걔가 다 불었어 (증언했어)."

Fun Fact

The character 證 (증) also appears in '영수증' (receipt), which is literally a 'paper that proves you received something.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕɯŋ.ʌn.ɦa.da/

US /t͡ʃʊŋ.ʌn.hɑ.dɑ/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '증' (jeung).

Rhymes With

선언하다 (seoneonhada - to declare) 강연하다 (gangyeonhada - to lecture) 공연하다 (gongyeonhada - to perform) 조언하다 (joeonhada - to advise) 부언하다 (bueonhada - to add more words) 단언하다 (daneonhada - to assert) 발언하다 (bareonhada - to make a remark) 웅변하다 (ungbyeonhada - to speak eloquently)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '증' as 'jung' (like English 'jungle'); it should be a flatter, unrounded 'u' sound (ㅡ).
Merging '언' and '하' into '어나' (eona); while liaison happens, in formal '증언하다', the 'h' (ㅎ) sound is usually kept distinct for clarity.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and formal texts, but requires knowing Hanja-based vocabulary.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct particle usage and formal sentence endings.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but finding the right context to use it is tricky.

Listening 4/5

Crucial for understanding legal dramas and news broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

말하다 사실 법원 사람 보다

Learn Next

진술하다 위증 피고인 원고 판결

Advanced

입증책임 신빙성 정황증거 반대신문 공소시효

Grammar to Know

Indirect Quotation (-라고 하다/증언하다)

그는 범인이 도망갔다고 증언했다.

Honorific Suffix (-시-)

할아버지께서 당시 상황을 증언하셨습니다.

Purpose Particle (-(으)러)

증언하러 법원에 갑니다.

Adverbial Suffix (-게)

용기 있게 증언하세요.

Nominalization (-기/-(으)ㅁ)

그의 증언함은 큰 도움이 되었다.

Examples by Level

그는 법원에서 증언해요.

He testifies in court.

Simple present tense.

증언하다는 말하기와 비슷해요.

Testifying is similar to speaking.

Noun form of verb + 는.

누가 증언해요?

Who is testifying?

Interrogative sentence.

저는 사실을 증언해요.

I testify the truth.

Direct object + 을/를.

경찰이 증언을 들어요.

The police listen to the testimony.

Noun form '증언'.

증언은 중요해요.

Testimony is important.

Adjective '중요하다'.

거짓말을 증언하지 마세요.

Do not testify a lie.

Negative command -지 마세요.

그녀는 용감하게 증언해요.

She testifies bravely.

Adverbial form -게.

그 목격자는 오늘 증언할 거예요.

That witness will testify today.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

법정에서 증언하는 것은 어려워요.

It is difficult to testify in court.

Gerund form -는 것.

그는 사고에 대해 증언했습니다.

He testified about the accident.

Past tense -았습니다.

진실을 증언해야 합니다.

You must testify the truth.

Obligation -해야 합니다.

증언하러 법원에 갔어요.

I went to court to testify.

Purpose -(으)러.

누가 그 사건을 증언했나요?

Who testified about that case?

Past interrogative -했나요.

증언하는 사람이 많아요.

There are many people who testify.

Noun modifying form -는.

친구를 위해 증언하고 싶어요.

I want to testify for my friend.

Desire -고 싶어요.

피해자는 가해자의 얼굴을 보며 증언했습니다.

The victim testified while looking at the perpetrator's face.

Simultaneous action -(으)며.

증언하기 전에 선서를 해야 합니다.

You must take an oath before testifying.

Before -기 전에.

그의 증언 덕분에 범인을 잡았습니다.

Thanks to his testimony, the criminal was caught.

Reason '덕분에'.

그는 자신이 본 것을 솔직하게 증언하기로 했습니다.

He decided to honestly testify what he saw.

Decision -기로 하다.

정치인은 청문회에서 증언할 것을 거부했습니다.

The politician refused to testify at the hearing.

Refusal '거부하다'.

어떤 증언이 가장 설득력이 있었나요?

Which testimony was the most persuasive?

Superlative '가장'.

증언할 때는 긴장하지 않는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important not to be nervous when testifying.

When -(으)ㄹ 때.

그녀는 사고 당시 비가 오고 있었다고 증언했습니다.

She testified that it was raining at the time of the accident.

Indirect quotation -고.

목격자의 증언이 서로 엇갈리고 있어서 수사가 어렵습니다.

The investigation is difficult because the witnesses' testimonies are conflicting.

Reason -아/어서.

그는 위협을 받았음에도 불구하고 용기 있게 증언했습니다.

Despite being threatened, he courageously testified.

Despite -(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고.

법원은 그의 증언을 신빙성이 없다고 판단했습니다.

The court judged his testimony to be unreliable.

Judgment '판단하다'.

그 사건을 증언해 줄 사람이 아무도 없었습니다.

There was no one to testify for that case.

Auxiliary verb -어 주다.

증언의 일관성이 부족하면 증거로 채택되기 어렵습니다.

If the testimony lacks consistency, it is hard to be adopted as evidence.

Passive '채택되다'.

그는 피고인에게 유리한 내용을 증언했습니다.

He testified to content favorable to the defendant.

Favorable '유리한'.

역사학자들은 생존자들의 증언을 기록하기 시작했습니다.

Historians began to record the survivors' testimonies.

Begin to -기 시작하다.

이 유물은 당시의 생활상을 생생하게 증언하고 있습니다.

This artifact vividly testifies to the lifestyle of that time.

Metaphorical usage.

핵심 증인은 검찰의 압박에도 굴하지 않고 소신껏 증언했습니다.

The key witness testified according to their convictions, without yielding to the prosecution's pressure.

Without yielding -에 굴하지 않고.

법정에서 허위로 증언할 경우 위증죄로 처벌받을 수 있습니다.

If you testify falsely in court, you can be punished for perjury.

In case of -(으)ㄹ 경우.

그녀의 증언은 결정적인 순간에 재판의 판도를 뒤바놓았습니다.

Her testimony turned the tide of the trial at a decisive moment.

Turn the tide '판도를 뒤바꾸다'.

전문가 증언은 복잡한 과학적 원리를 배심원들에게 설명하는 데 필수적입니다.

Expert testimony is essential for explaining complex scientific principles to the jury.

Essential '필수적이다'.

과거의 비극을 증언하는 것은 미래의 세대에게 교훈을 주는 일입니다.

Testifying to past tragedies is a matter of giving lessons to future generations.

Gerund subject.

그는 자신의 결백을 증언해 줄 목격자를 간절히 찾고 있습니다.

He is desperately looking for a witness who will testify to his innocence.

Desperately '간절히'.

증언의 세부 사항이 바뀌는 것은 기억의 왜곡 때문일 수 있습니다.

Changes in the details of a testimony may be due to the distortion of memory.

Due to -때문일 수 있다.

피고인은 증언을 번복함으로써 재판부에 혼란을 주었습니다.

The defendant caused confusion to the court by recanting their testimony.

By doing -함으로써.

증언의 신빙성을 확보하기 위해 교차 검증 절차가 진행되었습니다.

A cross-verification process was conducted to ensure the credibility of the testimony.

In order to -기 위해.

그의 증언은 단순한 사실 나열을 넘어 시대의 아픔을 관통하고 있었습니다.

His testimony went beyond a simple list of facts and pierced through the pain of the era.

Beyond -를 넘어.

사법 체계 내에서 증언이 갖는 무게는 민주주의의 근간과 직결됩니다.

The weight of testimony within the judicial system is directly linked to the foundations of democracy.

Directly linked '직결되다'.

트라우마로 인해 증언을 거부하는 피해자들에게는 심리적 지원이 선행되어야 합니다.

Psychological support must precede for victims who refuse to testify due to trauma.

Precede '선행되다'.

증언의 모순점을 파고드는 반대 심문이 치열하게 전개되었습니다.

A cross-examination digging into the contradictions of the testimony unfolded fiercely.

Dig into '파고들다'.

기록되지 않은 역사는 생존자들의 증언을 통해 비로소 형체를 갖추게 됩니다.

Unrecorded history finally takes shape through the testimonies of survivors.

Finally '비로소'.

증언자가 처한 사회적 맥락을 고려하지 않은 채 증언의 진위만을 따지는 것은 위험합니다.

It is dangerous to judge only the truth or falsity of testimony without considering the social context in which the witness is placed.

Without doing -하지 않은 채.

현대 철학에서 증언은 타자의 경험을 수용하는 윤리적 행위로 재해석되기도 합니다.

In modern philosophy, testimony is sometimes reinterpreted as an ethical act of accepting the experience of the Other.

Reinterpreted '재해석되다'.

Common Collocations

법정에서 증언하다

유리하게 증언하다

불리하게 증언하다

직접 증언하다

상세히 증언하다

사실대로 증언하다

용기 있게 증언하다

증언을 거부하다

증언을 번복하다

증언을 채택하다

Common Phrases

증언대에 서다

증언을 확보하다

증언을 듣다

증언을 요청하다

증언을 뒷받침하다

증언이 일치하다

증언이 엇갈리다

구술 증언

참고인 증언

허위 증언

Often Confused With

증언하다 vs 진술하다

Jin-sul is for general statements; Jeung-eon is for witness testimony.

증언하다 vs 증명하다

Jeung-myeong is 'to prove'; Jeung-eon is one way to achieve proof.

증언하다 vs 고백하다

Go-baek is a personal confession; Jeung-eon is an objective testimony.

Idioms & Expressions

"입을 열다"

To open one's mouth; to finally speak or testify after keeping a secret.

침묵하던 목격자가 드디어 입을 열었다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"진실의 목소리를 내다"

To give voice to the truth; often used for brave testimony.

그녀는 사회적 약자를 위해 진실의 목소리를 냈다.

Metaphorical

"역사의 산증인"

A living witness of history; someone who can testify to past events.

그분은 한국 근현대사의 산증인이시다.

Honorific

"쐐기를 박다"

To drive a wedge; to give a final, decisive testimony that settles a case.

그의 증언은 범인의 유죄에 쐐기를 박았다.

Idiomatic

"발목을 잡다"

To grab someone's ankle; when a testimony hinders someone's plans or defense.

과거의 증언이 그의 정계 진출의 발목을 잡았다.

Idiomatic

"뒷북을 치다"

To beat the drum late; to give a testimony that is no longer useful or too late.

이제 와서 증언하는 것은 뒷북을 치는 격이다.

Informal/Slang

"꼬리가 밟히다"

To have one's tail stepped on; when a testimony leads to someone being caught.

목격자의 증언으로 범인의 꼬리가 밟혔다.

Idiomatic

"입을 맞추다"

To match mouths; to conspire to give the same (often false) testimony.

그들은 미리 입을 맞추고 거짓 증언을 했다.

Idiomatic/Negative

"눈감아 주다"

To close one's eyes; to refuse to testify about something one saw.

그는 친구의 잘못을 눈감아 주기로 했다.

Idiomatic

"바른말을 하다"

To speak the right words; to testify truthfully despite pressure.

어떤 상황에서도 바른말을 하는 것이 중요하다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

증언하다 vs 위증

Sounds like 'jeung-eon' but means the opposite (lying).

Jeung-eon is the act of testifying (usually implied truth); Wi-jeung is specifically lying under oath.

그는 위증을 해서 감옥에 갔다.

증언하다 vs 공술

Both mean testifying in court.

Gong-sul is more technical and used in written law; Jeung-eon is the standard word used by people.

공술서에 서명하십시오.

증언하다 vs 언급

Both involve speaking about something.

Eon-geup is 'mentioning' something briefly; Jeung-eon is a formal, detailed testimony.

그는 그 이름을 언급하지 않았다.

증언하다 vs 주장

Both involve stating a position.

Ju-jang is an 'argument' or 'claim' based on opinion; Jeung-eon is 'testimony' based on witnessed facts.

그의 주장은 근거가 없다.

증언하다 vs 설명

Both involve talking to explain a situation.

Seol-myeong is 'explanation'; Jeung-eon is a legal act of providing evidence.

작동 방법을 설명해 주세요.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]이/가 증언해요.

목격자가 증언해요.

[Event]에 대해 증언하다.

사고에 대해 증언했습니다.

[Person]을 위해 증언하다.

친구를 위해 증언했어요.

[Statement]-라고 증언하다.

범인이 아니라고 증언했습니다.

[Noun]을/를 증언하다.

진실을 증언하다.

[Manner]-게 증언하다.

상세하게 증언했습니다.

증언할 것을 거부하다.

증언할 것을 거부했습니다.

증언의 신빙성을 다투다.

변호인은 증언의 신빙성을 다투었습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

증언 testimony

증인 witness (person)

증거 evidence

위증 perjury (false testimony)

Verbs

증언시키다 to make someone testify

증명하다 to prove

How to Use It

frequency

High in legal/news/history; Low in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using it for casual stories. → 말하다 / 이야기하다
'증언하다' is too formal and legal for telling a friend about your day.
Confusing '증언' (testimony) with '증거' (evidence). → 증언 (speaking), 증거 (items/facts)
Testimony is a type of evidence, but they are not interchangeable. You '증언하다' (speak), but you '제시하다' (present) '증거'.
Incorrect particle: '판사에게 증언하다'. → 판사 앞에서 / 법정에서 증언하다
You testify 'before' a judge or 'in' court, not 'to' them like a private message.
Using '증언하다' when you are the suspect. → 진술하다 / 자백하다
A suspect usually 'makes a statement' or 'confesses', while a witness 'testifies'.
Misspelling as '증온하다'. → 증언하다
The second syllable is '언' (eon), not '온' (on).

Tips

Indirect Quotes

When reporting what someone testified, use the pattern '-다고 증언하다' for statements and '-냐고 증언하다' for questions they were asked. This is essential for C1 level reporting.

Hanja Roots

Learn the characters 證 (Proof) and 言 (Word). This will help you understand related words like 증거 (evidence), 증인 (witness), and 발언 (remark).

Legal Register

When using this word, avoid slang or casual particles like '랑' or '하고'. Use formal particles like '와/과' or '및' to maintain the correct register.

Clarity

In a formal setting, pronounce each syllable clearly. 'Jeung-eon' involves two distinct vowels; don't rush them together.

History

Understand that '증언' is a emotionally charged word in Korea regarding the 'Comfort Women' issue. Using it in this context requires sensitivity.

Nuance

Choose between '증언하다' and '진술하다' carefully. Use '증언하다' to emphasize the speaker's role as a witness to the truth.

News Patterns

Korean news often uses the phrase '증언이 나왔습니다' (Testimony has come out/emerged) to introduce new evidence in a case.

Association

Associate '증언하다' with the image of a gavel (판사봉). When the gavel hits, the testimony is recorded.

Legal Texts

In legal documents, you might see '증언거부권' (the right to refuse to testify). Knowing the root word helps you decode these long compounds.

Active vs Passive

While '증언하다' is active, the passive '증언되다' is rarely used. Instead, use '증언이 이루어지다' (testimony was made).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jeung' as 'Judge' and 'Eon' as 'Own'. You 'Own' your words in front of the 'Judge'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a witness box with a speech bubble that has a 'Checkmark' (✅) inside it, representing the truth.

Word Web

Court (법정) Truth (진실) Witness (증인) Lawyer (변호사) Case (사건) Oath (선서) Evidence (증거) Judge (판사)

Challenge

Try to write a 3-sentence story about a witness who is afraid but decides to 증언하다 anyway.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 證 (증 - proof, evidence) and 言 (언 - word, speech). The '하다' suffix turns the noun into a verb.

Original meaning: To provide verbal proof or evidence.

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

When using this word regarding historical trauma or victims, always use respectful honorifics (e.g., 증언해 주셨습니다).

In English-speaking courts, 'testifying' is often associated with the phrase 'so help me God.' In Korea, while there is no religious oath, the '선서' (oath) is equally solemn.

The movie 'A Taxi Driver' (택시운전사) features characters who must eventually testify to the world about the Gwangju Uprising. Legal dramas like 'I Can Hear Your Voice' revolve around the importance of a single witness's testimony. The 'House of Sharing' (나눔의 집) is a place where survivors' testimonies are archived.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Courtroom

증언대에 서다
선서 후 증언하다
증언을 번복하다
결정적 증언

Police Investigation

참고인으로 증언하다
사건을 증언하다
목격자로 증언하다
진실을 증언하다

History Class

생존자의 증언
역사를 증언하다
구술 증언 기록
당시 상황을 증언하다

News Report

증언이 잇따르다
증언을 확보하다
단독 증언
충격적인 증언

Literature/Metaphor

시대의 아픔을 증언하다
침묵의 증언
몸이 증언하다
세월을 증언하다

Conversation Starters

"혹시 법정에서 증언해 본 적이 있으세요?"

"목격자가 증언을 거부한다면 어떻게 해야 할까요?"

"역사 교육에서 생존자의 증언이 왜 중요하다고 생각하세요?"

"드라마에서 가장 기억에 남는 증언 장면이 있나요?"

"거짓 증언을 하는 사람들은 어떤 처벌을 받아야 할까요?"

Journal Prompts

만약 내가 중요한 사건의 유일한 목격자라면, 위험을 무릅쓰고 증언할 것인가? 그 이유는 무엇인가?

최근 뉴스에서 본 '증언' 관련 기사에 대해 자신의 생각을 써보세요.

나의 인생에서 누군가 나를 위해 증언해 주었던 (또는 도와주었던) 경험이 있나요?

역사의 산증인들이 사라져가는 오늘날, 그들의 증언을 어떻게 보존해야 할까요?

증언의 신빙성을 판단하는 기준은 무엇이 되어야 한다고 생각합니까?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually, no. '증언하다' implies direct knowledge or being a witness. If you are reporting what someone else said in court, it is 'hearsay' (전문 증언), which is a specific and complex legal category. For casual talk, just use '말하다'.

In a legal sense, '진술' (statement) is a broad term for what anyone says to investigators. '증언' (testimony) is specifically what a 'witness' (not the defendant) says in court after taking an oath.

Not necessarily. It can be used for historical events, civil trials (like contract disputes), or even metaphorically (e.g., 'The ruins testify to the city's past').

You can say '허위 증언' or use the specific noun '위증' (perjury).

Since it's already a formal word, you can make it more polite by adding the honorific '-시-', as in '증언하셨습니다' or '증언해 주셨습니다'.

Yes, metaphorically. '이 흉터가 그날의 고통을 증언한다' (This scar testifies to the pain of that day).

It means 'oral testimony.' It's often used when historians record the spoken stories of people who lived through significant events.

Both are common. '사건을 증언하다' focuses on the event as the direct object. '사건에 대해 증언하다' focuses on the topic of the testimony.

It is called '증언대' (jeung-eon-dae).

Rarely. Only if you are talking about a trial, a police investigation, or a very serious historical matter.