参阅 (cān yuè) — to consult (a document, reference, or source); to refer to (for information or guidance)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning 'consult / refer to' (a document, manual, or source) — typical of academic, editorial, and instructional contexts. Synonymous in meaning with 参考, but 参阅 emphasizes actually looking through the material.

verb
to consult (a document, reference, or source)to refer to (for information or guidance)

Examples

  • 参阅。
    Qǐng cān yuè fù lù zhōng de xiáng xì shuō míng.
    Please refer to the detailed instructions in the appendix.
  • 参阅。
    Zhè piān lùn wén xū yào cān yuè dà liàng wén xiàn.
    This paper needs to consult a large amount of literature.
  • 参阅。
    Shǐ yòng qián qǐng cān yuè yòng hù shǒu cè.
    Please consult the user manual before use.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

参cānconsult
阅yuèread

“参” means to consult or examine, and “阅” means to read; together they describe looking through a source for information.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 參; 参 is its simplified writing.

For simplified 参, the story belongs to traditional 參, which combines 晶 (stars), 光 (light), and 彡 (rays) to show the Three Stars; one reading takes 光 as a kneeling person looking up.

Open 参 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 閱; 阅 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
門門mén
Sound part声符shēngfú
兌
兌duì閱yuè
Same sound today

The traditional form 閱 pairs 門, a gate, with 兌, a part that gives the sound; the simplified 阅 is a shorthand.

Open 阅 →

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