participate · visit

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 参 is associated with participating or visiting; its on-reading is さん.
• Basic usage: 参加 refers to taking part in an event or group, while 参考 concerns material used to guide a judgment or task.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An event to join and material to consult
  • In 読書会に参加する, に marks the gathering being joined.
  • In 写真を参考にする, を marks the photograph used as reference material. The expression describes using material as a guide, such as making a model based on a photograph.