Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
参考 (さんこう, sankou) Japanese meaning: reference | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
考こう
に
なっ
た
。
This book was a helpful reference when I wrote my report.
For your reference, I am sending last year's data.
Expressions 参さん 考こう にする refer to; consult; use as a reference 参さん 考こう になる serve as a reference; be helpful; be informative Kanji 参 nonplussed, three (in documents), going Related words 参照 means to look up or check a specific source directly, while 参考 is broader and refers to using something generally as a guide or reference.
引用 means quoting or citing text directly, whereas 参考 means using a source as general background or guidance without necessarily reproducing it.
Don't confuse with 参考 means 'reference' (using information for guidance), while 参加 means 'participation' (joining an activity); they share only the kanji 参 and are easily confused by beginners.
参考 means reference material or information to consult, while 備考 is the specific remarks column or note itself in a document.
Word family· 12 reference book; study guide; supplementary textbook
references; works cited; bibliography
invited witness; unsworn witness · person of interest; voluntary interviewee · expert advisor; consultative expert
Etymology Sino-Japanese word. 参 (to participate, to consult) + 考 (to think, to consider). The combination conveys the idea of consulting something for consideration.
参さん 考こう 品ひん
reference item; specimen for reference
Show 5 more reference price
reference book; reference work
bibliography; list of references
unofficial result; unrecognized record
reference material; reference data
