保証（ほしょう、hoshou）
- guarantee

The Japanese word 保証 保証, pronounced ほしょう (hoshou), primarily means "guarantee," "warranty," "assurance," or "security." It refers to a promise or a pledge that something is true, will happen, or will be provided. It often implies a sense of certainty or a commitment to cover potential losses or damages. The specific meaning depends on the context, and it can be used in various situations, from financial agreements to product sales. The word 保証 can also mean "surety" or "bail," especially in legal contexts.

⚫︎品質保証 Translation: Quality guarantee/warranty ⚫︎彼らはそのプロジェクトの成功を保証した。 Translation: They guaranteed the success of that project. ⚫︎この製品には1年間の保証がついています。 Translation: This product comes with a one-year warranty.

保証 保証 is used in formal and informal contexts. It's common in business, legal documents, and everyday conversations. It is often used when: ⚫︎ Making a promise. ⚫︎ Providing a warranty for a product. ⚫︎ Offering assurance or confidence. ⚫︎ In legal and financial settings, to represent a surety or collateral.

The word 保証 is typically written using the kanji 保証, but it can be written with hiragana ほしょう. The okurigana is standard, and there are no common variations in its spelling.

⚫︎ 確約 (kakuyaku) - Promise, commitment ⚫︎ 担保 (tanpo) - Security, collateral ⚫︎ 保障 (hoshou) - Guarantee, security (similar, but can be used for ensuring basic needs, like social security) ⚫︎ 請け合い (ukeai) - Guarantee, assurance ⚫︎ 確実性 (kakujitsusei) - Certainty

⚫︎ 疑い (utagai) - Doubt ⚫︎ 不安 (fuan) - Anxiety, unease ⚫︎ 不確実性 (fukakujitsusei) - Uncertainty

この時計には2年間の保証があります。 ・Translation: This watch comes with a two-year warranty. ・Explanation: This sentence provides information about the warranty period for a watch, assuring the customer of product quality.

彼らはその取引の安全を保証した。 ・Translation: They guaranteed the safety of the transaction. ・Explanation: This shows 保証 being used to give an assurance of security regarding a business transaction.

保証 is a compound word. The first character 保 (ho) means "to maintain," "to preserve," or "to protect." The second character 証 (shou) means "evidence," "proof," or "guarantee." Together, they convey the meaning of “to maintain or protect with evidence,” or “to provide a guarantee.”