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B1 noun #8,000 most common 6 min read

公章

gongzhang Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 公章 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 公章 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of '公章' (gōngzhāng) simply as a very important 'stamp' that companies use. In China, people don't just sign their names on important papers; they use a red stamp. You might see this word in a simple office setting. For example, if you see a red circle on a paper, that is the '公章'. You can remember it as 'Public (公) Seal (章)'. It is used for big things like starting a job or opening a bank account. You should know that '盖' (gài) is the verb used to say 'to stamp'. Even at this early stage, noticing these red circles on Chinese documents will help you understand how business works there. It is a noun. You can say '这是公章' (This is the official seal). It is a basic but very common word in any Chinese office. Don't worry about the legal details yet, just recognize the red stamp as the '公章'.

At the A2 level, you should understand that '公章' (gōngzhāng) is a specific kind of seal used by companies and schools. It is different from a personal stamp. When you go to a Chinese school or office, you might need to ask: '可以在这里盖公章吗?' (Can you stamp the official seal here?). You will learn that '公' means public or official, and '章' means seal. Together, they mean the 'official seal'. You will see it on your graduation certificate or a work contract. It is always red. Usually, it is round. In China, this stamp is often more important than a person's signature. If you are learning Chinese for work, this is a very important word to know. You might also hear '盖章' (gàizhāng), which means the act of stamping. Remember, '公章' is the object (the seal), and '盖章' is the action (to stamp).

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the functional and cultural significance of the '公章' (gōngzhāng). This is the 'company chop' or official seal that represents the legal authority of an organization. You should be able to use it in sentences related to business procedures, such as '合同需要盖公章' (The contract needs the official seal). At this level, you should also distinguish between the physical seal and the authority it represents. You might encounter situations where you need to explain that a document is not valid because it lacks the '公章'. You should also be familiar with the measure words used for it, such as '枚' (méi). Understanding the logistics—like who keeps the seal (usually the administration or '行政部')—is part of your growing cultural competence. You are moving beyond seeing it as just a 'stamp' and seeing it as a 'legal requirement'.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable discussing the '公章' (gōngzhāng) in professional and legal contexts. You should understand that the seal is registered with the government and that its misuse can lead to serious legal consequences. You might discuss topics like '公章管理' (seal management) or '法律效力' (legal validity). You should know that there are different types of seals, like the '财务章' (financial seal) or '法人章' (legal representative's seal), and that the '公章' is the most general and powerful one. You might read news articles about companies fighting over the '公章' during management disputes. You should be able to use advanced verbs like '加盖' (jiāgài - to affix a seal) and '授权' (shòuquán - to authorize). Your understanding should include the fact that without this seal, a company's commitment is often not legally recognized in a Chinese court.

At the C1 level, your understanding of '公章' (gōngzhāng) should include its historical roots and its complex role in modern Chinese law. You should be able to analyze the nuances of seal-related disputes, such as the 'representative authority' (表见代理) where a person using a company's '公章' might legally bind the company even without explicit permission. You should be familiar with the transition to '电子公章' (electronic seals) and the security protocols involving digital certificates and blockchain. You can discuss the '公章' as a symbol of institutional power versus individual authority. In high-level business negotiations, you would understand the precise timing of when the '公章' should be applied to a document. You should also be able to use idiomatic expressions or formal administrative language related to the authentication of documents and the verification of seal authenticity (核对印鉴).

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of the '公章' (gōngzhāng) and its implications across all sectors of Chinese society. You can navigate the most complex legal documents involving seal usage and understand the intricacies of the 'Public Security Bureau's' registration system for seals. You can engage in deep discussions about the 'seal culture' in East Asia and how it contrasts with Western 'signature culture'. You are capable of handling crisis management if a '公章' is lost or stolen, including the specific legal announcements (登报声明) required to invalidate a lost seal. You understand the historical evolution from the imperial seals (玺) to the modern corporate chop. Your vocabulary includes highly specialized terms like '防伪公章' (anti-counterfeit seal) and '骑缝章' (cross-page seal). You can appreciate the bureaucratic dance required to obtain a '公章' and the systemic trust that the seal provides in the Chinese economy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

公章 in 30 Seconds

The official corporate seal used in China for legal document validation and authentication.
Indispensable for contracts, bank accounts, and government filings; usually a circular red stamp.
Controlled by specific departments; its physical possession often implies control over the company's legal actions.
Regulated by the Public Security Bureau; misuse or forgery is a serious criminal offense.

The term 公章 (gōngzhāng) is a foundational concept in Chinese corporate and administrative culture, referring to the official seal or 'company chop' used by organizations to validate documents. Unlike many Western business environments where a handwritten signature from an authorized individual is the primary method of authentication, the 公章 serves as the physical manifestation of a legal entity's authority. In China, the seal itself carries the legal weight, often regardless of who physically applies it to the paper, provided they have the authority to hold it.

Legal Identity: The 公章 is much more than a stationary item; it is the legal signature of the corporation. Every registered company in China must have one, and its design is strictly regulated by the Public Security Bureau (PSB). It is typically circular, featuring the company’s full registered Chinese name and a five-pointed star in the center.

我们需要在合同的每一页都盖上公章才能生效。 (We need to stamp the official seal on every page of the contract for it to take effect.)

Operational Use: You will encounter this word whenever dealing with bureaucracy. Whether you are applying for a work permit, opening a bank account, or signing a commercial lease, the counterparty will inevitably ask for the 'gōngzhāng'. The act of stamping is called 盖章 (gàizhāng).

没有公章，这份证明文件在银行是不被承认的。 (Without the official seal, this certification document will not be recognized by the bank.)

Security and Control: Because the seal holds such immense power, companies have strict protocols for its custody. The person who 'controls the seal' effectively controls the company's ability to enter into agreements. This has led to famous corporate 'seal-snatching' battles in Chinese tech history.

公司的高管正在争夺公章的控制权。 (The company executives are fighting for control of the official seal.)

请确保公章盖在日期上面。 (Please make sure the official seal is stamped over the date.)

由于公章遗失，我们必须向公安局报案。 (Due to the loss of the official seal, we must report it to the Public Security Bureau.)

Using 公章 (gōngzhāng) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs that accompany it. The most common verb is 盖 (gài), meaning 'to cover' or 'to stamp'. In a formal sentence, you would say '盖公章'. Because it is a physical object, it can also be the subject or object of verbs related to management, loss, or creation.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 盖公章 (Apply the seal) 2. 刻公章 (Carve/create the seal) 3. 领公章 (Collect the seal) 4. 管公章 (Manage/be in charge of the seal) 5. 偷公章 (Steal the seal - a common legal drama trope)

只有经理才有权使用公章。 (Only the manager has the authority to use the official seal.)

Grammatical Structures: As a noun, it often follows possessive particles or demonstratives. For example, '公司的公章' (the company's seal) or '这枚公章' (this seal). Note the measure word 枚 (méi) or 把 (bǎ) used for small, handheld objects of authority.

这枚公章代表了整个企业的信用。 (This official seal represents the credit of the entire enterprise.)

他在申请表上盖了一个清晰的公章。 (He applied a clear official seal on the application form.)

如果公章模糊不清，文件可能会被退回。 (If the official seal is blurry, the document might be returned.)

行政部负责保管公司的公章。 (The administration department is responsible for keeping the company's official seal.)

You will hear 公章 (gōngzhāng) in any environment involving formal agreements or administrative procedures. This includes corporate offices, government service centers (政务大厅), banks, and law firms. It is a word of the professional and legal sphere.

In the Office: Employees often ask, '公章在哪儿?' (Where is the official seal?) when they need to process reimbursements or HR documents. In management meetings, discussions might revolve around who has the '公章使用权' (right to use the seal).

等老板回来盖了公章，你就可以走了。 (Once the boss comes back and stamps the official seal, you can leave.)

At Government Bureaus: Government officials will frequently remind applicants: '请在原件上加盖公章' (Please add the official seal to the original document). This is a standard requirement for almost all official filings in China.

所有复印件都必须盖上单位的公章。 (All photocopies must be stamped with the unit's official seal.)

我们需要申请一个电子公章来处理在线业务。 (We need to apply for an electronic official seal to handle online business.)

由于公司注销，这枚公章已经作废了。 (Since the company was liquidated, this official seal has become invalid.)

财务章和公章要分开保管。 (The financial seal and the official seal must be kept separately.)

Learners often confuse 公章 (gōngzhāng) with other types of seals or signatures. In Chinese, 'seal' is a broad category, but the 公章 is a specific legal instrument.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 私章 (sīzhāng): A 私章 is a personal seal used by individuals. While individuals in China use seals for bank accounts, the 公章 is strictly for 'public' or 'corporate' entities. You cannot use your personal name seal where a company seal is required.

这不是我的私章，这是公司的公章。 (This isn't my personal seal; it's the company's official seal.)

Mistake 2: Assuming a Signature is Enough: Many foreigners assume that signing a document makes it official. In China, you will often hear '没盖公章不作数' (It doesn't count without the official seal). Always check if a seal is required.

虽然他签了名，但没有盖公章，所以合同无效。 (Although he signed his name, there is no official seal, so the contract is invalid.)

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Specialized Seal: Companies have different seals: 合同章 (Contract Seal), 财务章 (Financial Seal), and 发票章 (Invoice Seal). The 公章 is the 'master' seal, but for specific tasks like issuing an invoice, using the general 公章 might be technically incorrect depending on the institution's rules.

你盖错章了，这里应该盖合同章，而不是公章。 (You used the wrong seal; the contract seal should be used here, not the official seal.)

请注意，伪造公章是严重的违法行为。 (Please note that forging an official seal is a serious criminal offense.)

这个公章的印记已经模糊了，需要重新蘸印泥。 (The impression of this official seal is blurred; it needs more ink.)

Understanding the nuances between 公章 and its related terms is crucial for professional communication.

公章 vs. 印章 (yìnzhāng): 印章 is the general term for any seal or stamp, including artistic ones used by painters. 公章 is specifically the official seal of a public or corporate body. All 公章 are 印章, but not all 印章 are 公章.

公章 vs. 戳子 (chuōzi): 戳子 is a more colloquial, sometimes slightly dated term for a stamp or seal. You might hear it in casual conversation, but in a legal or business document, 公章 is always used.

在正式场合，我们只说公章，不说戳子。 (In formal occasions, we only say official seal, not 'stamp'.)

公章 vs. 官印 (guānyìn): 官印 refers to the official seal of a government official in ancient China. While 公章 is the modern equivalent, 官印 is used in historical contexts or period dramas.

古代官员丢失了官印是死罪，现代丢失公章也很麻烦。 (In ancient times, losing an official seal was a capital offense; in modern times, losing the corporate seal is also very troublesome.)

这份文件需要加盖骑缝公章。 (This document needs to be stamped with a cross-page official seal.)

他把公章锁在了保险柜里。 (He locked the official seal in the safe.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, the size and material of a seal (jade, gold, silver, bronze) reflected the rank of the official holding it. Today, the diameter of a 公章 is still strictly regulated by law.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡʊŋ ˈdʒæŋ/

US /ɡɔŋ ˈdʒɑŋ/

Equal stress on both syllables as they are both first-tone (flat).

Rhymes With

商 (shāng) 张 (zhāng) 光 (guāng) 忙 (máng) 房 (fáng) 常 (cháng) 长 (cháng) 香 (xiāng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as 'z' (zāng instead of zhāng).
Using the wrong tone (e.g., 3rd tone gǒng instead of 1st tone gōng).
Confusing 'gōng' with 'kōng'.
Shortening the 'a' sound in 'zhang'.
Failing to aspirate the 'g' correctly (it should be unaspirated).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively simple but the context is professional.

Writing 4/5

Writing '章' correctly requires attention to the strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the 1st tone.

Listening 3/5

Common in office environments; easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

公司 (gōngsī) 红 (hóng) 盖 (gài) 合同 (hétóng) 办 (bàn)

Learn Next

法人 (fǎrén) 财务 (cáiwù) 备案 (bèi'àn) 生效 (shēngxiào) 授权 (shòuquán)

Advanced

表见代理 (biǎojiàn dàilǐ) 印鉴 (yìnjiàn) 行政审批 (xíngzhèng shěnpī)

Grammar to Know

Measure Words for Objects

一枚公章 (One seal) - '枚' is for small, flat, or authoritative objects.

Passive '被' Structure

公章被他拿走了。 (The seal was taken away by him.)

The '把' Construction

请把公章放回保险柜。 (Please put the seal back in the safe.)

Directional Complements

盖上公章 (Stamp on the seal) - '上' indicates the application of the seal onto the surface.

Conditional Sentences

如果不盖公章，合同就没用。 (If you don't stamp the seal, the contract is useless.)

Examples by Level

这是公司的公章。

This is the company's official seal.

Simple 'Subject + 是 + Object' structure.

请给我公章。

Please give me the official seal.

Request using '请' (please).

公章是红色的。

The official seal is red.

Describing a property using '是...的'.

他在盖公章。

He is stamping the official seal.

Present continuous action using '在'.

公章在哪儿？

Where is the official seal?

Question using '在哪儿' (where).

我没有公章。

I don't have the official seal.

Negation using '没有'.

公章在桌子上。

The official seal is on the table.

Locational sentence using '在'.

看这个公章。

Look at this official seal.

Imperative using '看'.

合同上必须盖公章。

The contract must be stamped with the official seal.

Using '必须' (must) to show necessity.

经理带着公章去银行了。

The manager took the official seal to the bank.

Using '带着...去' (take... to).

我们需要一个新的公章。

We need a new official seal.

Adjective '新的' modifying '公章'.

请在这里盖上公章。

Please stamp the official seal here.

Directional complement '上'.

公司的公章丢了。

The company's official seal is lost.

Possessive '的' and verb '丢' (lose).

这个公章是真的吗？

Is this official seal real?

Question using '吗'.

你要保管好公章。

You must take good care of the official seal.

Resultative complement '好'.

没有公章，文件无效。

Without the official seal, the document is invalid.

Conditional phrase '没有...，...'.

这份文件需要加盖公司公章。

This document needs to be affixed with the company's official seal.

Formal verb '加盖' (affix/add a seal).

他负责管理部门的公章。

He is responsible for managing the department's official seal.

Using '负责' (be responsible for).

公章的印记非常清晰。

The impression of the official seal is very clear.

Noun '印记' (impression/mark).

我们需要去刻一枚新的公章。

We need to go and carve a new official seal.

Using measure word '一枚'.

只有法人才能动用公章。

Only the legal representative can use the official seal.

Using '只有...才' (only if... then).

公章的使用必须经过审批。

The use of the official seal must go through approval.

Noun phrase '公章的使用' as a subject.

请核对一下公章和原件。

Please check the official seal against the original.

Verb '核对' (to check/verify).

公司注销后，公章要交回。

After the company is liquidated, the official seal must be returned.

Time clause '...后' (after).

由于公章被抢，公司陷入了混乱。

Due to the official seal being snatched, the company fell into chaos.

Passive voice using '被'.

伪造公章是严重的刑事犯罪。

Forging an official seal is a serious criminal offense.

Using '伪造' (to forge) as a gerund-like subject.

电子公章在法律上具有同等效力。

Electronic official seals have equal legal effect.

Using '具有...效力' (have... validity).

他私自挪用公章签署了合同。

He used the official seal without authorization to sign a contract.

Adverb '私自' (without authorization).

这份证明信上盖有学校的公章。

This recommendation letter bears the school's official seal.

Using '盖有' to indicate the state of having a seal.

为了安全，公章应由专人保管。

For safety, the official seal should be kept by a designated person.

Using '由...保管' (be kept by...).

公章的形状和规格都有严格规定。

The shape and specifications of the official seal are strictly regulated.

Using '都有' for emphasis on universal rules.

申请补办公章需要登报声明。

Applying for a replacement seal requires a newspaper announcement.

Using '补办' (to replace/re-issue).

公章的法律意义在于其代表了法人意愿。

The legal significance of the official seal lies in its representation of the legal person's will.

Using '在于' (lies in).

在某些案件中，法院会判定公章的表见代理权。

In some cases, the court will rule on the apparent authority of the official seal.

Technical legal term '表见代理' (apparent authority).

该协议因加盖了虚假公章而被判定无效。

The agreement was ruled invalid because a fake official seal was affixed.

Using '因...而...' (because of... therefore...).

企业应当建立完善的公章使用登记制度。

Enterprises should establish a sound registration system for the use of official seals.

Using '应当' (should) in a formal policy context.

公章的物理掌控往往等同于对公司的实际控制。

Physical control of the official seal often equates to actual control of the company.

Using '等同于' (equate to).

他因涉嫌伪造国家机关公章被警方逮捕。

He was arrested by the police for allegedly forging the official seals of state organs.

Using '涉嫌' (be suspected of).

骑缝章的使用可以防止合同页面被私自更换。

The use of a cross-page seal can prevent contract pages from being replaced without authorization.

Using '防止' (prevent).

电子认证技术正在逐步取代传统的实体公章。

Electronic authentication technology is gradually replacing traditional physical official seals.

Using '取代' (replace).

公章作为信用的象征，其严肃性不容置疑。

As a symbol of credit, the seriousness of the official seal is beyond doubt.

Idiomatic expression '不容置疑' (beyond doubt).

在权力博弈中，公章往往成为各方争夺的焦点。

In the game of power, the official seal often becomes the focus of contention for all parties.

Metaphorical use of '博弈' (game/competition).

法律对公章的刻制、启用及销毁均有详尽的程序规定。

The law has detailed procedural regulations for the carving, activation, and destruction of official seals.

Using '均有' (all have) for formal exhaustive listing.

这种“抢公章”的行为反映了公司治理结构的某种缺失。

This behavior of 'seal-snatching' reflects a certain lack in the corporate governance structure.

Critique using '反映了...缺失'.

印章文化的传承在现代公章制度中得到了延续。

The inheritance of seal culture has been continued in the modern official seal system.

Using '得到了延续' (has been continued).

妥善保管公章是防范企业法律风险的第一道防线。

Properly keeping the official seal is the first line of defense against corporate legal risks.

Metaphor '第一道防线' (first line of defense).

即使公章被盗，公司若能及时声明作废，亦可减轻损失。

Even if the official seal is stolen, the company can mitigate losses if it promptly declares it invalid.

Using '若...亦可...' (if... can also...).

公章的权威性源于国家行政力量的背书。

The authority of the official seal stems from the endorsement of the state's administrative power.

Using '源于' (stem from/originate from).

Common Collocations

盖公章

刻公章

保管公章

伪造公章

使用公章

丢失公章

加盖公章

电子公章

公章管理

交回公章

Common Phrases

没盖公章

— Lacking the official seal. It implies the document is not yet valid.

这信没盖公章，我不信。

看公章

— To check the seal. Used to verify authenticity.

办业务要先看公章。

抢公章

— Snatching the seal. Refers to power struggles in a company.

那家公司上演了抢公章的大戏。

认章不认人

— To recognize the seal but not the person. Emphasizes the seal's power over individual identity.

银行往往是认章不认人的。

单位公章

— The official seal of a unit or organization.

请带上你们单位的公章。

正式公章

— The official/formal seal, as opposed to temporary or specialized ones.

只有正式公章才有效。

备案公章

— A seal that has been registered/filed with the authorities.

这是我们备案公章的样本。

作废公章

— To invalidate a seal or refers to an invalidated seal.

旧的公章已经作废了。

持章人

— The person holding or in charge of the seal.

持章人需要对公章安全负责。

盖章处

— The designated place for the seal on a document.

请在盖章处盖章。

Often Confused With

公章 vs 私章

Private seal vs. Public seal. Don't use your name stamp for company business.

公章 vs 印章

Generic stamp vs. Official seal. All 公章 are 印章, but not vice versa.

公章 vs 合同章

Contract seal vs. General seal. Some companies have a specific seal just for contracts.

Idioms & Expressions

"大印在手"

— Holding the big seal in hand. Means having the ultimate power.

他现在是大印在手，谁也不敢不听。

Informal/Metaphorical

"金印紫绶"

— Golden seal and purple ribbon. Refers to high-ranking officials in ancient times.

他梦想着有一天能金印紫绶。

Literary/Historical

"私刻公章"

— Illegally carving an official seal. A common legal term for forgery.

私刻公章是重罪。

Legal

"空头支票"

— Though related to checks, it implies a promise without the 'seal' of reality.

没有公章的承诺就像空头支票。

Informal

"一字千金"

— One word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Often used when a seal makes a document valuable.

这公章一盖，真是一字千金。

Literary

"名正言顺"

— To be perfectly justifiable. Having the seal makes an action 'ming zheng yan shun'.

有了公章，办事就名正言顺了。

Idiomatic

"铁证如山"

— Ironclad evidence. A document with a real seal is seen as such.

盖了公章的合同，铁证如山。

Idiomatic

"先斩后奏"

— Act first and report later. Sometimes done when one doesn't have the seal yet.

他还没盖公章就先去办了，真是先斩后奏。

Idiomatic

"信赏必罚"

— To reward and punish as promised. The seal represents that promise.

公章代表了公司的信赏必罚。

Literary

"言而有信"

— To be as good as one's word. The seal is the physical form of this.

盖上公章，就要言而有信。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

公章 vs 签名

Both are used for authentication.

Signature is personal and handwritten; 公章 is institutional and stamped. In China, the seal is usually more powerful.

这里需要签名和公章。

公章 vs 财务章

Both are company seals.

财务章 is specifically for bank transactions and financial documents; 公章 is for general administrative and legal matters.

支票上要盖财务章，不是公章。

公章 vs 法人章

Both represent the company.

法人章 is the personal seal of the legal representative (e.g., the CEO); 公章 is the seal of the company entity itself.

这份文件需要公章和法人章。

公章 vs 发票章

Both are corporate stamps.

发票章 is used only for tax invoices (fapiao).

请在发票上盖发票章。

公章 vs 印章

They are synonyms in many contexts.

印章 is the category; 公章 is the specific official type.

他有很多艺术印章，但只有一个公章。

Sentence Patterns

这是[Owner]的公章。

这是学校的公章。

请在[Location]盖公章。

请在这里盖公章。

[Document]需要加盖公章。

证明信需要加盖公章。

由于[Reason]，公章暂时无法使用。

由于经理出差，公章暂时无法使用。

凡未经加盖公章之文件，一律[Result]。

凡未经加盖公章之文件，一律视为无效。

公章之于企业，犹[Metaphor]之于[Object]。

公章之于企业，犹灵魂之于躯壳。

为了[Purpose]，必须使用公章。

为了开户，必须使用公章。

如果公章[Action]，后果将[Result]。

如果公章丢失，后果将非常严重。

Word Family

Nouns

印章 (yìnzhāng) - Seal

章程 (zhāngchéng) - Bylaws

勋章 (xūnzhāng) - Medal

Verbs

盖章 (gàizhāng) - To stamp

签章 (qiānzhāng) - To sign and seal

Adjectives

公用的 (gōngyòng de) - Public use

正式的 (zhèngshì de) - Formal

法人 (fǎrén) - Legal person

合同 (hétóng) - Contract

效力 (xiàolì) - Validity

备案 (bèi'àn) - Filing/registration

印泥 (yìnní) - Ink pad

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in business and administration.

Common Mistakes

Using '签' (qiān) instead of '盖' (gài) for the seal. → 盖公章 (gài gōngzhāng)
You 'sign' (签) a name, but you 'stamp' (盖) a seal. Using the wrong verb sounds unnatural.
Thinking '公章' refers to a personal stamp. → 私章 (sīzhāng)
Individuals use a '私章'. A '公章' is only for organizations/public entities.
Forgetting to use the measure word '枚' (méi). → 一枚公章
While '一个' is okay in casual talk, '一枚' is the correct formal measure word for seals.
Assuming all red stamps are the '公章'. → Check the text on the stamp.
There are financial seals, invoice seals, etc. Only the one with the full company name (and usually a star) is the '公章'.
Writing '公张' instead of '公章'. → 公章
'章' means seal/chapter; '张' is a common surname or measure word for paper. They sound the same but are different.

Tips

Always check for the seal

When receiving a document from a Chinese partner, always check if the red 公章 is present. If it isn't, the document might not be legally binding, and you should ask them to '加盖公章'.

The Power of the Red Circle

Understand that in China, the seal belongs to the 'office', not the 'person'. This is why possessor of the seal holds the power. Treat the seal with the same respect you would treat a high-ranking official.

Verb-Noun Pairing

The most natural verb to use is '盖' (gài). If you want to sound more professional, use '加盖' (jiāgài). For the creation of the seal, use '刻' (kè).

Seal Custody

If you are running a business in China, never leave the 公章 unattended. If a rogue employee has the seal, they can sign the company up for loans or contracts without your knowledge.

Spotting Fakes

Real seals have a specific texture and often include a unique security code at the bottom. If a seal looks too perfect (like a computer-generated image), it might be a fake or a digital scan.

Invalidation

If you change your company name, you must officially 'destroy' the old 公章 and register a new one. You cannot simply stop using the old one.

The 'Chop' in English

In Hong Kong and Singapore, the '公章' is commonly referred to as the 'Company Chop'. Don't be confused; it's the same thing as the official seal.

Correct Characters

Don't confuse '公' (public) with '共' (together). While related, '公章' is the standard term. Ensure the '章' has the correct number of horizontal strokes.

Requesting a Stamp

When asking a company to stamp a document, it's polite to say: '麻烦贵公司加盖公章' (Could I trouble your company to affix the official seal?).

E-Seals

With the rise of platforms like WeChat for business, 电子公章 (e-seals) are becoming the norm. Learn how to verify these digital certificates.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Gong' as a public gong that everyone hears, and 'Zhang' as a stamp on a 'Chapter' of a book. A Public Chapter Stamp = Official Seal.

Visual Association

Imagine a large, bright red circular stamp with a star in the middle sitting on a stack of money or a contract.

Word Web

Company Red Stamp Legal Contract Authority Office Bank

Challenge

Try to find 5 different documents in a Chinese office or school and identify the '公章' on each one. Notice the differences in the names carved on them.

Word Origin

The word is composed of '公' (gōng), meaning public, official, or collective, and '章' (zhāng), meaning seal, stamp, or chapter. Historically, seals were used by Chinese emperors and officials to denote authority. The term '公章' modernizes this concept for corporate and administrative use.

Original meaning: A seal used for public or official business.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Never joke about forging a 公章 in a business meeting; it is a serious crime and taken very seriously.

Westerners often find the emphasis on a physical stamp over a personal signature to be bureaucratic or archaic, but it is a fundamental part of doing business in East Asia.

The 'Dangdang' seal-snatching incident (2020). Arm China's dispute over the company chop. The Imperial Seal of China (He Shi Bi) in history.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Contract Signing

盖公章
骑缝章
合同生效
加盖公章

Banking

核对印鉴
预留公章
办理开户
盖章不符

HR/Administration

离职证明
盖公章申请
保管公章
用章登记

Legal Disputes

抢公章
伪造公章
公章作废
法律效力

Government Applications

加盖公章
原件核对
备案登记
领取公章

Conversation Starters

"请问这份文件需要盖公章吗？ (Does this document need the official seal?)"

"公司的公章现在在谁那儿？ (Who has the company's official seal right now?)"

"我们需要去刻一个新的公章。 (We need to go and carve a new official seal.)"

"没有公章，银行不给办业务。 (Without the seal, the bank won't process the business.)"

"你看到我的公章了吗？我找不到了。 (Have you seen my official seal? I can't find it.)"

Journal Prompts

Describe the process of getting a document stamped in a Chinese office. How did it feel?

Why do you think China prefers a physical '公章' over a digital signature?

Write a short story about a character who loses their company's '公章' on the day of a big merger.

Compare the '公章' to the authentication methods used in your home country.

Imagine you are in charge of a '公章'. How would you keep it safe?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In most formal Chinese business and government contexts, a signature alone is insufficient. The 公章 is required for a document to have full legal validity. While some modern contracts allow for 'signature or seal', the seal remains the gold standard for institutional commitment.

Losing a 公章 is a serious matter. You must immediately report the loss to the police (PSB), place an announcement in a recognized newspaper to declare it invalid, and then apply for a new seal with the proper authorities. This prevents others from using the lost seal to commit the company to fraudulent agreements.

Yes, under the PRC Electronic Signature Law, a properly registered and authenticated electronic seal (电子公章) has the same legal effect as a physical one. They are increasingly common in e-commerce and digital government services.

Red is the traditional color of authority and luck in China. Historically, cinnabar paste was used, which is red. Today, it remains the legal standard color for official seals to ensure consistency and easy identification.

A '骑缝章' is when you fan out the pages of a multi-page contract and stamp the 公章 across the edges. This ensures that no pages can be removed or replaced without breaking the seal's image, providing a physical layer of security.

Usually, the 'legal representative' (法人代表) or a trusted department like the Administration (行政部) or the Board Office (董事会办公室) holds the seal. Companies have strict 'Use of Seal' policies requiring management approval for each stamping.

Legally, a company has only one primary official seal registered with the PSB. However, they may have specialized seals like 'Contract Seal No. 1' or branch-specific seals, but these must also be properly filed and authorized.

The five-pointed star is a national symbol of the People's Republic of China. Its inclusion in the official seal indicates that the entity is a legally recognized organization under Chinese law.

Yes, if a foreigner is the legal representative of a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) or a Joint Venture, they are legally responsible for the seal, though they often delegate the physical custody to a local trusted employee.

Absolutely. Carving a 公章 without authorization from the Public Security Bureau is a crime. Even legitimate companies must go to designated, licensed shops to have their seals made.