What is 辞典?
辞典 (じてん) means 'dictionary' or 'reference book' in Japanese. It is commonly used to refer to books that provide definitions, explanations, or translations of words and terms.
Usage and Context
辞典 is often used when talking about looking up words, learning new vocabulary, or studying kanji. It is a neutral, standard word suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 辞典で調べる (じてんでしらべる): to look up in a dictionary
- 電子辞典 (でんしじてん): electronic dictionary
- 英和辞典 (えいわじてん): English-Japanese dictionary
Tips for Learners
辞典 specifically refers to dictionaries or reference books, not encyclopedias (which are usually called 百科事典). Avoid confusing 辞典 with 辞書 (じしょ), which also means dictionary but is more general and often used for smaller or simpler dictionaries.
Using 辞典 correctly helps you sound natural when discussing language study or research.