参考 cānkǎo consultation
consultation; reference; to consult; to refer
How to remember 参考: 参 take part + 考 to test = consultation.
Characters
How it is used
- 仅供参考 (jǐn gōng cānkǎo) - for reference only - is the fixed phrase you'll see stamped on documents and forms.
- As a verb it takes an object directly: 参考这本书 (cānkǎo zhè běn shū) - consult/refer to this book.
- Different from 借鉴 (jièjiàn), which means to learn from something as a model to imitate; 参考 is neutral, just gathering information.
- Common compound: 参考资料 (cānkǎo zīliào), reference materials - a staple word in academic and business writing.