図鑑

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 図鑑 is a noun read ずかん, referring to an illustrated guide that systematically presents kinds of plants, animals, or objects with pictures or photographs.
• Basic usage: Use 図鑑を開く when consulting one and 図鑑には…載っている when stating what it contains.
  • 兄は図鑑を開き、庭で見た虫の名前を調べた。 describes an older brother opening an illustrated guide to identify an insect seen in the garden; この図鑑には海辺の植物が写真付きで載っている。 says that seaside plants appear in this guide with photographs.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 図鑑で名前を調べる
  • An illustrated guide serves as the resource used to identify a name or kind, and that means can be marked with で.
• 図鑑には…載っている
  • には presents the publication as the medium containing the entry, and 載っている describes its included state.
• 図鑑 and 辞典
  • 図鑑 focuses on showing kinds and features through pictures or photographs, while 辞典 explains words or subjects in organized entries.