参考 — meaning in English: reference

cānkǎo · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for reference

领导

lǐngdǎo

参考

cānkǎo

锁

suǒ

节奏

jiézòu

政治家

zhèngzhì jiā

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 参考 in academic and professional settings, such as when referring to research papers or resources that provide additional information. For example, a student might say, 'You should use this article as a 参考 for your thesis.' It's also common in business discussions when suggesting reports or documents that support a decision.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 资料 (zīliào), which means 'data' or 'materials' and is often used when referring to physical or digital documents. However, 参考 emphasizes the action of referencing or consulting, while 资料 focuses more on the content itself. You would choose 参考 when you want to highlight the act of seeking information.

Culture

The word 参考 is composed of two characters: '参' (cān), meaning 'to participate' or 'to consult,' and '考' (kǎo), meaning 'to examine' or 'to consider.' This combination reflects the Chinese cultural value of thoroughness and the importance of consulting multiple sources before making decisions. Interestingly, 参考 is also used in various contexts, from academic to everyday conversations, highlighting its versatility in Mandarin.

FAQ

Q.What does 参考 mean in English?

参考 translates to 'reference' in English. It refers to materials or documents that provide information or support in making decisions or completing tasks.

Q.How do you use 参考 in a sentence?

You can use 参考 in sentences like, '请把这本书作为你的参考' which means 'Please use this book as your reference.' It shows the word's application in providing guidance or sources.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with the word 参考?

A common mistake is confusing 参考 with 参考书 (cānkǎo shū), which specifically means 'reference book.' While 参考 can be used more broadly, it's good to be specific when discussing types of references.

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