参考/參考 cānkǎo — to consult, to refer to; reference

Meanings

1. 1

   to consult, to refer to; reference

   To look at something in order to help decide, without being bound by it. That last part is the word: 参考意见 is advice you are free to ignore, which is why it is the polite way to offer one.

   verb

Example sentences

• 这本书可以参考一下。/這本書可以參考一下。Zhè (fourth tone, falling) běn (third tone, dipping) shū (first tone, high and level) kěyǐ (third tone, dipping) cānkǎo (first tone, high and level) yíxià. (second tone, rising)···

  This book is worth consulting.

• 这只是我的参考意见。/這只是我的參考意見。Zhè (fourth tone, falling) zhǐshì (third tone, dipping) wǒ (third tone, dipping) de (neutral tone) cānkǎo (first tone, high and level) yìjiàn. (fourth tone, falling)···

  This is only my suggestion, for what it is worth.