gōngzhāng: 公章 - Official Seal, Company Chop

• Keywords: gongzhang, 公章, company chop China, official seal China, Chinese red stamp, what is a gongzhang, company seal, business in China, legal documents China, corporate seal
• Summary: In China, the 公章 (gōngzhāng), or official company seal, is the single most important tool for validating official documents. Unlike the West, where a signature holds ultimate authority, this red ink stamp is what legally binds a company to contracts, bank accounts, and official statements. Understanding the power of the 公章 is absolutely essential for anyone doing business or dealing with legal matters in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōngzhāng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The official, legally binding seal of an organization (e.g., a company, government agency, or school).
• In a Nutshell: Forget the CEO's signature for a moment. In mainland China, the 公章 is the king. It's a physical stamp, usually circular and with red ink, that represents the entire company's authority. When this stamp is on a document, it means the company, as a whole, has approved it. Without the 公章, a contract or official letter is often just a piece of paper with no legal power. It is the ultimate symbol of corporate legitimacy.

• 公 (gōng): This character means “public,” “official,” or “common.” It's the same character used in `公司 (gōngsī)` for “company” and `公共 (gōnggòng)` for “public.” It signifies that the item in question belongs to the collective entity, not a private individual.
• 章 (zhāng): This character means “seal,” “stamp,” or “emblem.” It can also mean “chapter” as in a book (`文章 wénzhāng`).

When combined, 公章 (gōngzhāng) literally translates to “official seal,” perfectly describing its function as the authorized stamp of a public or corporate body.

The concept of the 公章 is one of the most significant cultural and legal differences between China and the West. In Western business culture, authority is typically vested in individuals. The signature of a CEO or authorized director legally binds the company. The power follows the person. In China, authority is traditionally vested in the institution itself, and the 公章 is the physical embodiment of that institution's power. The power follows the stamp. This reflects a more collectivist mindset where the organization's legitimacy is paramount. A document is approved by “the company,” not just by “the CEO.” This has profound practical implications. The person who physically controls the 公章 holds immense power, as they can authorize documents on behalf of the entire company. For this reason, the 公章 is guarded with extreme care. Losing the company chop is a major corporate crisis, far more serious than a CEO losing their favorite pen. For any foreigner doing business in China, seeing the official red 公章 stamped on a contract provides a level of security that a mere signature cannot.

The 公章 is used in virtually every formal aspect of a company's operations. You cannot run a legitimate business in China without one.

• Contracts and Agreements: Stamping a contract with the 公章 makes it legally binding. A signature alone is often insufficient.
• Banking: Opening a corporate bank account, authorizing large transfers, and other official banking procedures require the 公章.
• Government and Legal Filings: All official documents submitted to the government, such as tax filings, business license renewals, and legal papers, must bear the 公章.
• Human Resources: Issuing official employment contracts, termination letters, or letters of recommendation requires the company seal.
• Official Announcements: Any formal notice issued by the company to its employees or the public will be stamped with the 公章 to verify its authenticity.

The act of stamping is called 盖章 (gàizhāng). You will frequently hear the phrase `盖个章 (gài ge zhāng)` - “give it a stamp.”

• Example 1:
  • 这份合同需要盖公章才有效。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong xūyào gài gōngzhāng cái yǒuxiào.
  • English: This contract needs to be stamped with the official seal to be valid.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and crucial phrase in Chinese business. It highlights the seal's role in making a document legally `有效 (yǒuxiào)` - valid.
• Example 2:
  • 请问公司的公章在哪里？我需要用一下。
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn gōngsī de gōngzhāng zài nǎlǐ? Wǒ xūyào yòng yīxià.
  • English: Excuse me, where is the company's official seal? I need to use it.
  • Analysis: A practical question you might hear in a Chinese office. Note the use of `用一下 (yòng yīxià)` which softens the request.
• Example 3:
  • 公司的公章必须由行政部门的专人保管。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de gōngzhāng bìxū yóu xíngzhèng bùmén de zhuānrén bǎoguǎn.
  • English: The company's official seal must be kept by a designated person in the administration department.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the high security surrounding the `公章`. `专人 (zhuānrén)` means a specialized or designated person, and `保管 (bǎoguǎn)` means to safeguard or keep in custody.
• Example 4:
  • 没有公章，这份文件就没有法律效力。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu gōngzhāng, zhè fèn wénjiàn jiù méiyǒu fǎlǜ xiàolì.
  • English: Without the official seal, this document has no legal effect.
  • Analysis: This clearly states the legal consequence of a missing seal. `法律效力 (fǎlǜ xiàolì)` is a formal term for “legal effect” or “validity.”
• Example 5:
  • 银行要求我们提供营业执照复印件和公章。
  • Pinyin: Yínháng yāoqiú wǒmen tígōng yíngyè zhízhào fùyìnjiàn hé gōngzhāng.
  • English: The bank requires us to provide a copy of the business license and the official seal.
  • Analysis: A realistic example from setting up a business. Banks need to see the physical seal to verify the company's identity and documents.
• Example 6:
  • 他伪造了公章，签了一份假合同。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèizào le gōngzhāng, qiān le yī fèn jiǎ hétong.
  • English: He forged the official seal and signed a fake contract.
  • Analysis: This shows the dark side. Because the seal is so powerful, forging one (`伪造 wèizào`) is a serious crime.
• Example 7:
  • 这份证明信必须盖上学校的公章。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn zhèngmíng xìn bìxū gài shàng xuéxiào de gōngzhāng.
  • English: This certification letter must be stamped with the school's official seal.
  • Analysis: Shows that not just companies, but also other institutions like schools, have a `公章`.
• Example 8:
  • 谁拿着公章，谁就有公司的控制权。
  • Pinyin: Shéi názhe gōngzhāng, shéi jiù yǒu gōngsī de kòngzhì quán.
  • English: Whoever holds the official seal holds the power to control the company.
  • Analysis: A sentence that vividly explains the power dynamic associated with the seal. `控制权 (kòngzhì quán)` means “controlling power” or “control rights.”
• Example 9:
  • 别担心，我们已经在文件上盖了公章。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒmen yǐjīng zài wénjiàn shàng gàile gōngzhāng.
  • English: Don't worry, we have already stamped the document with the official seal.
  • Analysis: The act of stamping provides assurance and finality. Note the use of `盖了 (gàile)` to indicate the completed action of stamping.
• Example 10:
  • 要申请这个职位，你需要上一家公司盖了公章的离职证明。
  • Pinyin: Yào shēnqǐng zhège zhíwèi, nǐ xūyào shàng yījiā gōngsī gàile gōngzhāng de lízhí zhèngmíng.
  • English: To apply for this position, you need a departure certificate from your previous company that has been stamped with their official seal.
  • Analysis: A very practical example from the world of Chinese HR. An official document like a `离职证明 (lízhí zhèngmíng)` is only considered authentic with the `公章`.

• The “Signature vs. Seal” Fallacy: The most common mistake for foreigners is assuming a signature is sufficient. In a formal Chinese context, a signature is often secondary; it confirms who executed the action, but the 公章 confirms the company approved it. Always ask if a document needs to be stamped (`需要盖章吗? xūyào gàizhāng ma?`).
• Not All Seals are the 公章: Large Chinese companies have multiple seals. You might encounter a `财务章 (cáiwùzhāng)` (finance seal) or a `合同章 (hétongzhāng)` (contract seal). While these are official, the 公章 is the primary, all-purpose seal with the highest authority. The finance seal, for example, can't be used to approve a new company policy.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • `INCORRECT:` “The CEO signed the contract, so it's a done deal.”
  • `WHY IT'S WRONG:` In China, if that contract lacks the red 公章 stamp, it may not be legally enforceable. The deal isn't done until it's stamped.

• 盖章 (gàizhāng) - The verb meaning “to affix an official seal,” “to stamp.” The action you perform with a 公章.
• 印章 (yìnzhāng) - A general term for any kind of seal or stamp, including personal name chops or decorative ones. A 公章 is a type of 印章.
• 签字 (qiānzì) - The verb “to sign,” as with a pen. Often done alongside a 公章 on very formal documents, but the seal carries more legal weight.
• 合同章 (hétongzhāng) - A “contract seal,” a specific chop used by some companies exclusively for stamping contracts.
• 财务章 (cáiwùzhāng) - The “finance seal,” used for banking, invoices, and financial transactions.
• 法人章 (fǎrénzhāng) - The “legal representative's seal.” This is a personal seal bearing the name of the company's officially registered legal representative.
• 有效 (yǒuxiào) - “Valid” or “effective.” A term frequently used to describe what a document becomes after being stamped with a 公章.
• 营业执照 (yíngyè zhízhào) - A “business license.” This is the core document proving a company's existence, and you often need to present it alongside your 公章.