はんこ（はんこ、hanko）
- stamp

はんこ (also sometimes called 印鑑) refers to a stamp or seal used in Japan for authentication and official purposes. It's a small, personal seal, usually made of wood, plastic, or even stone, with the user's name or a simplified design carved into it. These seals are used in place of signatures on many official documents, contracts, and banking transactions. The act of using a はんこ is called 押印(o-in), which means to stamp or seal. Different types of はんこ are used for various purposes, ranging from personal seals for everyday use to more official seals registered with the local government.

⚫︎ 契約書にはんこを押してください。 Translation: Please put your seal on the contract. ⚫︎ 銀行口座を開設するには、印鑑が必要です。 Translation: You need a seal to open a bank account. ⚫︎ この書類には認印でいいですか？ Translation: Is a personal seal okay for this document?

⚫︎ はんこ is used in various official situations in Japan. ⚫︎ You'll use it to sign contracts, acknowledge receipts, open bank accounts, and many other administrative tasks. ⚫︎ The type of はんこ required depends on the context. For example, a registered seal (実印, jitsuin) is used for important legal documents and is registered with the local government. An unregistered, personal seal (認印, mitomein) can be used for less formal purposes. ⚫︎ When using a はんこ, you typically press it onto a special ink pad (朱肉, shuniku) and then onto the document. Be sure to press firmly and evenly for a clear impression.

⚫︎ The word はんこ is primarily written in hiragana. ⚫︎ Kanji for はんこ can be 判子 or 印判, but the former is more common. ⚫︎ The katakana version is not used. ⚫︎ There are no significant variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 印鑑 (inkan): This is a more formal term for a seal and is often used interchangeably with はんこ, but generally refers to a registered seal. ⚫︎ 印 (in): This word simply means "seal" or "mark" and is used in a more general sense.

There are no direct antonyms for はんこ. Instead, the opposite could be seen as signing with a pen or digital signature.

この契約書は、実印と印鑑証明が必要です。 ・Translation: This contract requires a registered seal and a seal registration certificate. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that a more official type of はんこ, 実印 (jitsuin), is required for this particular document, along with official documentation verifying the seal's registration.

急ぎの書類なので、認印で済ませてもいいですか？ ・Translation: Since this is an urgent document, can I use a personal seal? ・Explanation: This question checks if a less formal はんこ is acceptable for a document that requires a quicker process.

The word はんこ is derived from the term 判 (han), which originally referred to a seal or mark. The "ko" at the end is a common suffix in Japanese.