参考（さんこう、sankou）
- reference

The Japanese word 参考, read as さんこう (sankou), generally means "reference," "consultation," or "to refer to." It implies using something as a point of 参考, or a basis for understanding, forming an opinion, or making a decision. It can also mean "to bear in mind" or "to keep in mind." The core concept is about using something to gain insight or guidance.

⚫︎ この本を参考にしてください。 Translation: Please refer to this book. ⚫︎ 彼女の意見を参考にして、計画を立てましょう。 Translation: Let's use her opinion as a reference and make a plan. ⚫︎ このデータはあくまで参考です。 Translation: This data is for reference only.

⚫︎ 参考 is used in various contexts. It can be used when giving or receiving information. ⚫︎ It is often used when providing guidance or suggestions. ⚫︎ It's also frequently seen in formal and informal situations, but be mindful of the level of politeness when choosing the verb conjugation to accompany 参考. For example, use してください for "please" and にしてください for "make it into." ⚫︎ It's common to see it in academic or professional settings.

⚫︎ 参考 is typically written in kanji, as in 参考. ⚫︎ The reading, さんこう, is written in hiragana. ⚫︎ There is no variation in the okurigana for this word.

⚫︎ 参照 (さんしょう) - "reference," often used for referring to specific sources. ⚫︎ 参照する (さんしょうする) - "to refer to" ⚫︎ 参照する (さんしょう) - "reference" ⚫︎ 参考に (さんこうに) - "for reference" or "as a reference" ⚫︎ 助け (たすけ) - "help" or "aid" (in a less direct sense of reference) ⚫︎ 手本 (てほん) - "model" or "example" (can serve as a reference)

There aren't direct antonyms for 参考, as it is a concept rather than a direct action. However, words expressing disregard or ignoring information could be considered opposites in a conceptual sense. ⚫︎ 無視 (むし) - "ignore" ⚫︎ 軽視 (けいし) - "disregard" ⚫︎ 無視する (むしする) - "to ignore" ⚫︎ 軽視する (けいしする) - "to disregard"

このレポートを書くにあたって、インターネットの情報を参考にしました。 ・Translation: I referred to information from the internet when writing this report. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates how 参考 is used in the context of research or preparation.

先生の参考になるように、もっと勉強を頑張ります。 ・Translation: I will work harder at studying so that it will be helpful to the teacher. ・Explanation: This sentence is an example of the usage of 参考 in a sentence.

The word 参考 is a compound word: ⚫︎ 参 (san): meaning "to participate" or "to attend" (also related to the act of looking at something) ⚫︎ 考 (kou): meaning "to consider," "to think," or "to examine." Therefore, 参考 literally combines the ideas of "participating in consideration" or "examining with a basis."