Meaning and Usage
"参考" (さんこう) means "reference" or "consultation." It is commonly used when talking about materials, information, or examples that help someone understand or create something.
Common Contexts
You will often see "参考" used in academic or work settings, such as when referring to books, documents, or data that support your work or study.
Collocations and Patterns
- 参考にする: to use as a reference
- 参考資料: reference materials
- 参考書: reference book
- 参考になる: to be helpful as a reference
Register and Politeness
"参考" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When giving advice or suggesting something as a reference, it is polite to say "参考にしてください。"
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "参考" with "参考書" (reference book) or "参考資料" (reference materials). Remember that "参考" alone means "reference" in a general sense and is often combined with other words to specify the type of reference.