testify

Compared meaning: to show that something is true (verb).

比较义项：证明、表明某事是真实的（动词）。

• evidence

  Formal and typically written; the subject is usually a fact, statistic, or object that serves as proof, not a person constructing an argument; less common in everyday speech.

  较为正式，多用于书面语；主语通常是充当证据的事实、数据或物证，而不是进行论证的人；日常口语中较少使用。

  The latest audit results evidence a significant improvement in efficiency.

  最新的审计结果表明效率有了显著提高。

• testify 本词

  Often specifically legal: a person gives spoken evidence in court as a witness; when followed by 'to', it means to serve as a clear sign of something.

  常特指法律场景：某人作为证人在法庭上口头作证；后接介词 to 时，意为“证明……的存在”。

  The witness had to testify in court about what she saw during the accident.

  目击者不得不在法庭上就她在事故中看到的情况作证。

• show

  The most common, neutral, everyday word; used casually about facts, results, photos, or documents that make something clear, with no special formality.

  四者中最常用、最中性、最口语化的词；用于日常谈论能说明问题的事实、结果、照片或文件，不带特殊正式色彩。

  The photos on his phone show he was at the party that night.

  他手机里的照片表明那晚他在派对上。

• prove

  Stronger than 'show': it implies establishing something conclusively through solid evidence or logical argument, especially after doubt or testing.

  语气比 show 更强：强调通过确凿的证据或严密的论证，最终使某事得到证实，尤其是在经过怀疑或检验之后。

  Scientists finally proved that the vaccine was safe after years of testing.

  经过多年测试，科学家们终于证明了这种疫苗是安全的。

These four words mean to show something is true. Evidence is formal, usually a fact or statistic. Testify often means giving evidence in court, or being a sign of something. Show is the most common, everyday word. Prove is strongest, meaning to establish truth clearly.

这四个词都可表示“证明、表明”，但正式程度和使用场景不同：evidence 多用于书面语，主语常是充当证据的事实或数据；testify 常特指在法庭上作证，或与 to 连用表示“证明……的存在”；show 是四者中最常用、最口语化的说法；prove 语气更强，强调经确凿证据或推理最终得到证实。这里不比较 evidence 更常见的名词义“证据”，也不比较 show 的“展示、播出节目”等其他义项。

Compared meaning: to show that something is true (verb).

比较义项：证明、表明某事是真实的（动词）。

• testify 本词

  Formal and often legal: used when a witness states something is true, especially under oath in court; not used for everyday clarifying facts.

  正式且常用于法律场合：指证人宣誓后在法庭上陈述真相；不用于日常说明一般事实。

  She testified in court that she saw the defendant leave the building.

  她在法庭上作证说，她看到被告离开了那栋楼。

• show

  The most general and weakest of the three: to make something evident through action, results or appearance, without necessarily proving it conclusively.

  三者中最通用、语气最弱的一个：通过行动、结果或外表使某事显而易见，但不一定构成确凿证明。

  His actions showed that he truly cared about the whole team.

  他的行动表明他是真心关心整个团队的。

• prove

  To establish truth with solid evidence or logical argument, implying certainty; stronger than show and used in both everyday and formal/scientific contexts.

  以确凿证据或逻辑论证确立真实性，语气最强，日常和正式、科学场合都可使用。

  The lawyer couldn't prove that the signature on the letter was forged.

  律师无法证明那封信上的签名是伪造的。

These three words can mean to show something is true. Testify is formal, used when a witness states something under oath in court. Show is the most general and weakest, meaning to make something clear. Prove is strongest, meaning to establish truth with strong evidence.

这三个词都可表示“证明、表明”某事属实，但语气和场合不同：testify 正式，多用于法庭作证；show 最通用、语气最弱；prove 强调有确凿证据或逻辑支持，语气最强。