参照 and 参考: Consulting a Manual and Using a Photograph or Opinions
Compare a request to consult instructions and a report organized from records with a photograph used for a model and opinions useful for planning. Follow the source and its use without assigning exclusive media or implied approval.
参照: A request and the use of past records
参照 (さんしょう) means consultation or reference. 「詳しい手順は説明書を参照してください。」 — “Please consult the manual for detailed instructions.” してください asks the reader to consult the manual for detailed instructions. The request does not report that the manual has already been read.
「過去の記録を参照しながら報告書をまとめた。」 — “I organized the report while referring to past records.” The report was organized while referring to past records. Consulting those records is the stated reference use, without establishing independent verification or approval of the report.
参考: A photograph for a model and opinions for planning
参考 (さんこう) means reference. 「古い写真を参考にして模型を作った。」 — “I used an old photograph as a reference when making the model.” The photograph serves as reference in making a model. The Japanese reports making the model, while the English wording focuses on using the photograph when making it. The reference function does not exclude looking at the source itself.
「皆の意見は次の計画の参考になります。」 — “Everyone's opinions will be useful for planning what comes next.” Everyone's opinions will be useful for planning what comes next. Their usefulness does not establish that every opinion was adopted or the next plan already carried out.
Read the source consulted and how it is used
Consulting a manual or records and using a photograph or opinions overlap in their reference functions. The expressions do not assign writing exclusively to 参照 or photographs exclusively to 参考.
The request to consult a manual and the use of an old photograph belong to different situations. One identifies a source to consult for procedures; the other identifies a source used in making a model. Reference use does not itself establish permission or approval.
What roles do the manual in a request for 参照 and the old photograph used as 参考 for a model have?
Show the answer and why
The manual is the source the reader is asked to consult for detailed procedures; the photograph is reference used in making the model. Their reference roles overlap, while one sentence is a request and the other describes use. Neither creates an exclusive media rule or implies approval.