辞典
Meaning in Englishencyclopedia, reference book
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
What does 辞典 mean? It refers to a reference work—printed or digital—that collects entries (words, technical terms, names, or concepts) and gives concise explanations, definitions, pronunciations, or cross-references so users can look up information quickly and reliably.
Main meanings
- A specialized compendium covering a single field or category (for example, biographical or technical term collections) rather than a general-purpose word list.
- A branded or app-based lookup tool marketed as a searchable resource for words and terms in digital form.
- An authoritative reference used for citation or standardization within publishing, education, and professional contexts.
- A metaphorical sense as a comprehensive repository of knowledge about a particular topic (used figuratively).
How to use it
Commonly used in educational, academic, publishing and professional settings to refer to reference volumes or apps; appears in compound titles such as 国語辞典 (kokugo jiten) and 英和辞典 (eiwa jiten) to specify the language or scope, and ranges from small pocket editions for learners to large specialized works for researchers.
Variants and close terms
- 辞書 (jisho) — everyday term for a dictionary, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
- 事典 (jiten) — encyclopedia or subject-specific compendium emphasizing breadth of topical entries.
- 用語集 (yōgoshu) — glossary, a shorter specialized list of terms rather than a full dictionary.
Composition
- 辞 (ji): relates to words, speech, or expression and can imply entries composed of language units.
- 典 (ten): denotes a code, standard, or classic reference work; combined it conveys a canonical book of words or terms used as a reference.
Origin
The idea of organized word lists in Japan traces back to early kana and kanji glossaries influenced by Chinese lexicography (examples from around the 10th century), while the modern concept of a printed, systematically arranged 辞典 developed further during the Meiji period as Western lexicographic methods and modern printing were adopted.
Word class
noun (名詞)