yìnzhāng: 印章 - Seal, Stamp, Chop

• Keywords: 印章, yìnzhāng, Chinese seal, Chinese chop, seal carving, name stamp China, official stamp, red ink paste, personal seal, company chop, legally binding stamp
• Summary: The 印章 (yìnzhāng), often called a “Chinese seal” or “chop” in English, is a fundamental object in Chinese culture representing identity and authority. Far more than a simple rubber stamp, an 印章 serves as a legally binding signature for individuals and companies on contracts, official documents, and bank forms. These seals, typically carved from stone and used with red ink paste, are also a revered art form, used by artists and calligraphers to sign their work. Understanding the 印章 is key to understanding business, art, and the concept of personal authority in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yìnzhāng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A seal or stamp, often carved with a name or symbol, used to make an impression in ink as a form of identification or signature.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine if your signature wasn't a scribble, but a small, beautifully carved stone block. That's an 印章. In China, pressing this seal onto a document is the official way to sign something. It's used for everything from opening a bank account and signing contracts to “signing” a piece of traditional artwork. The 印章 is a physical object that carries your identity and legal authority.

• 印 (yìn): This character originally depicted a hand (爪) pressing down on a person (卩). Its core meaning is “to press,” “a print,” or “a mark.” Think of making a fingerprint—that's the essence of 印.
• 章 (zhāng): This character can mean an emblem, badge, or a distinguishing mark. It conveys the idea of something that sets an item or person apart. It can also mean “chapter,” as in a section of a book.
• How they combine: Together, 印章 (yìnzhāng) literally means a “pressed emblem” or a “printed mark.” This perfectly describes the function of a seal: an object you press (印) to leave your unique, official mark (章).

The 印章 is an institution in East Asian culture, with a history stretching back thousands of years in China. It's not just a tool; it's a symbol of power, authenticity, and artistry.

• Comparison to a Western Signature: While an 印章 functions like a signature, its cultural weight is different. A signature is an action you perform. An 印章 is a physical object you possess. In a business context, control of the company's official seal (公章, gōngzhāng) is equivalent to holding the keys to the kingdom. Whoever has the seal can legally bind the company to contracts. This concept of a physical object holding authority is much stronger than in the West, where a signature's validity is often confirmed through other means.
• Authority and Trust: In imperial China, the emperor's seal (玉玺, yùxǐ) symbolized his divine mandate to rule. Passing the seal to a successor was the ultimate transfer of power. This ancient reverence for the seal has trickled down into modern society. A document stamped with an official 印章 is considered authentic and legally binding. It signifies a promise made and an identity confirmed.
• Art and Identity: For scholars, artists, and calligraphers, the 印章 is an integral part of their work. They often use multiple seals on a single piece: one with their name, and perhaps a “leisure seal” (闲章, xiánzhāng) carved with a poetic phrase or personal motto. The seal's placement, size, and design are all part of the artwork's overall composition.

The 印章 remains highly relevant in modern China, especially in formal and business settings.

• Business and Legal Use (The “Company Chop”): The most important seal is the 公章 (gōngzhāng), or “company chop.” It's a round seal, usually red, that is required to validate almost any official company document: contracts, legal filings, opening a company bank account, and even issuing official employee letters. Without the stamp from the 公章, a contract is often considered void. This makes the physical security of the company seal a top priority.
• Personal Use: Individuals have personal seals, 私章 (sīzhāng), which are typically square and bear their name. They are required for certain personal administrative tasks like opening a bank account, and sometimes for signing for important deliveries. While digital signatures are becoming more common, the personal 印章 is still a part of the formal bureaucratic process.
• Gifts and Souvenirs: Getting an 印章 carved is a popular and meaningful gift or souvenir. You can go to a artisan who will carve your name (or a Chinese name you've chosen) into a stone of your choice.

• Example 1:
  • 这份合同必须盖上公司的印章才有效。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong bìxū gàishang gōngsī de yìnzhāng cái yǒuxiào.
  • English: This contract must be stamped with the company's seal to be valid.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the absolute legal necessity of the 印章 in Chinese business. “盖上 (gàishang)” is the verb “to stamp.”
• Example 2:
  • 我去银行开户，他们要我的身份证和印章。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qù yínháng kāihù, tāmen yào wǒ de shēnfènzhèng hé yìnzhāng.
  • English: I went to the bank to open an account, and they wanted my ID card and my seal.
  • Analysis: A very common real-life scenario for foreigners and locals alike in China. This shows the use of a personal seal (私章).
• Example 3:
  • 这位书法家的每幅作品上都有他独特的印章。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi shūfǎjiā de měi fú zuòpǐn shàng dōu yǒu tā dútè de yìnzhāng.
  • English: Every piece by this calligrapher has his unique seal on it.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the artistic use of an 印章 as a signature and a part of the artwork itself.
• Example 4:
  • 他不小心把公司的印章弄丢了，现在麻烦大了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bù xiǎoxīn bǎ gōngsī de yìnzhāng nòng diū le, xiànzài máfan dà le.
  • English: He accidentally lost the company seal, and now he's in big trouble.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the immense responsibility and risk associated with possessing the company chop. “麻烦大了 (máfan dà le)” means “in big trouble.”
• Example 5:
  • 在旅游景点，你可以买到为你刻名字的印章。
  • Pinyin: Zài lǚyóu jǐngdiǎn, nǐ kěyǐ mǎidào wèi nǐ kè míngzì de yìnzhāng.
  • English: At tourist spots, you can buy seals with your name carved on them.
  • Analysis: This points to the 印章 as a popular cultural souvenir. The verb for carving is “刻 (kè).”
• Example 6:
  • 没有印章，这份文件就没有法律效力。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu yìnzhāng, zhè fèn wénjiàn jiù méiyǒu fǎlǜ xiàolì.
  • English: Without the seal, this document has no legal effect.
  • Analysis: A direct and powerful statement about the legal power of the 印章. “法律效力 (fǎlǜ xiàolì)” means “legal effect.”
• Example 7:
  • 古代皇帝的印章叫做“玉玺”，是权力的象征。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdài huángdì de yìnzhāng jiàozuò “yùxǐ”, shì quánlì de xiàngzhēng.
  • English: The seal of an ancient emperor was called a “Yuxi” (Jade Seal), and it was a symbol of power.
  • Analysis: This provides historical context and introduces the specific, high-status term “玉玺 (yùxǐ).”
• Example 8:
  • 请在这里盖一下您的个人印章。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhèlǐ gài yīxià nín de gèrén yìnzhāng.
  • English: Please stamp your personal seal here.
  • Analysis: A polite, formal request you might hear at a post office or bank. “个人 (gèrén)” specifies “personal.”
• Example 9:
  • 他打开红色的印泥，小心地在印章上蘸了蘸。
  • Pinyin: Tā dǎkāi hóngsè de yìnní, xiǎoxīn de zài yìnzhāng shàng zhàn le zhàn.
  • English: He opened the red ink paste and carefully dabbed it onto the seal.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a descriptive visual and introduces the related term “印泥 (yìnní),” the ink paste.
• Example 10:
  • 这个印章的材料是寿山石，非常名贵。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yìnzhāng de cáiliào shì Shòushān shí, fēicháng míngguì.
  • English: The material of this seal is Shoushan stone, which is very precious.
  • Analysis: This shows that the material of the 印章 itself can be valuable and is a point of consideration, linking it to the art of craftsmanship.

• Mistake: Treating it like an optional signature. The biggest mistake is assuming an 印章 is just a quaint alternative to a written signature. In many formal contexts in China (especially business), the seal is not optional. A signed document without a seal may be worthless.
  • Incorrect idea: “I'll just sign this contract, they'll accept it.”
  • Correct understanding: “I need to make sure the contract has the official company 印章 stamped on it.”
• Mistake: Confusing the object with the action. An 印章 is the physical stamp. The action of using it is 盖章 (gàizhāng).
  • Incorrect: 我要印章这份文件。 (Wǒ yào yìnzhāng zhè fèn wénjiàn.) - “I want to seal this document.” (Grammatically wrong)
  • Correct: 我要在这份文件上盖章。 (Wǒ yào zài zhè fèn wénjiàn shàng gàizhāng.) - “I need to stamp this document.”
  • Correct: 我需要用我的印章。 (Wǒ xūyào yòng wǒ de yìnzhāng.) - “I need to use my seal.”
• Nuance: “Chop” vs. 印章. While “chop” is widely understood by English speakers when discussing Chinese seals, it's a colloquial loanword. Using 印章 (yìnzhāng) shows a deeper understanding of the proper terminology.

• 盖章 (gàizhāng) - The verb “to stamp” or “to affix a seal.” This is the action, while 印章 is the object.
• 公章 (gōngzhāng) - The official company seal. The most important seal in a business context.
• 私章 (sīzhāng) - A personal seal, used for individual matters like banking.
• 印泥 (yìnní) - The thick, red, oil-based paste used as ink for the seal. It's not like a Western ink pad.
• 签名 (qiānmíng) - A written signature. Often used alongside a seal, but the seal typically holds more legal weight in formal situations.
• 篆刻 (zhuànkè) - The art of seal carving. This is a respected traditional art form.
• 合同 (hétong) - A contract. The most common type of document that requires an 印章.
• 图章 (túzhāng) - Another word for stamp or seal, often used interchangeably with 印章, but can sometimes feel slightly more generic.
• 玉玺 (yùxǐ) - The Imperial Jade Seal. The historical term for the emperor's seal, symbolizing the highest authority.
• 法人章 (fǎrén zhāng) - The “Legal Representative Seal.” A specific personal seal belonging to the company's officially registered legal representative, which also holds significant power.