事典

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 事典 is read as じてん and means an encyclopedia or reference work that explains subjects, objects, and phenomena by entry.
• Basic usage: Use 植物事典で調べる for consulting a plant encyclopedia and 動物の事典 for an animal encyclopedia.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference between 事典 and 辞典
  • The former explains knowledge about things and topics, whereas the latter explains the meanings, spellings, and uses of words.