参考

• Pinyin: cān kǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 参 = 厶 + 大 + 彡 (originally depicted three stars, phonetic); 考 = 耂 (old) + 丂 (phonetic), meaning to examine

Meaning

To refer to; to consult. Used when looking at existing materials or opinions for guidance or comparison.

Commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. 参考 can be both a verb (to consult/reference) and function attributively (参考书 = reference book, 参考资料 = reference materials). It implies thoughtful consideration rather than direct copying.

Examples

1. 写论文的时候，你可以参考这几本书。 When writing your thesis, you can refer to these books.
2. 这份报告仅供参考，最终方案还需要讨论。 This report is for reference only; the final plan still needs discussion.
3. 我参考了他的建议，决定换一种方法。 I referred to his advice and decided to try a different approach.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, professional, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你可以参考一下网上的评价再做决定。(You can refer to the online reviews before making a decision.)
• 这个数据可以作为参考。(This data can serve as a reference.)

Don't Say

• 我参考了他的作业交上去了 (Don't use 参考 as a euphemism for copying — if you mean copying, that's 抄, not 参考)

Origin & History

参 means to join or take part (here implying 'to examine alongside'), and 考 means to examine or test. Together they form the idea of examining by comparison.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal