参照

• Reading: さんしょう
• Romaji: sanshou
• Kanji breakdown: 参 (san/mai) — visit, consult; 照 (shou/te) — illuminate, compare
• Pronunciation: /sa.ɴ.ɕoː/

Meaning

Reference; consultation; looking something up for comparison or information.

A する verb (参照する) meaning to refer to or consult a source of information. Extremely common in academic, technical, and professional writing. Often seen in the imperative form 参照してください (please refer to) in documents, manuals, and textbooks. Also used in computing for cross-references.

Examples

1. 詳しくは添付資料を参照してください。 For more details, please refer to the attached materials.
2. 辞書を参照しながらレポートを書いた。 I wrote the report while consulting a dictionary.
3. 参照元のURLを必ず記載するようにしている。 I always make sure to include the URL of the source I referenced.

Usage Guide

Context: academic writing, technical documents, computing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 参 (san, to visit/consult) + 照 (shō, to illuminate/compare). Literally 'visit and illuminate,' suggesting the act of going to a source to shed light on a question.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal