1. the act of mentioning or alluding to something
提及，說到
He made a brief reference to the incident in his speech.
他在演講中簡短地提及了那起事件。
The book contains many historical references.
這本書包含了許多歷史典故。
Reference Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
reference
noun
快速理解
What does "Reference" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Reference"?
指用來獲取資訊或支持論點的來源、依據或提及的行為。
- 1
參考資料
EN: a source of information, such as a book or website, used for facts or support
翻譯: 用作查詢事實或尋求支持的資訊來源，例如書籍或網站。
- 2
提及
EN: the act of mentioning or alluding to something or someone
翻譯: 提及或暗示某事或某人的行為。
- 3
推薦信
EN: a statement about someone's character or abilities, often written for a job application
翻譯: 關於某人品格或能力的陳述，常用於求職申請。
- 4
參照
EN: the act of consulting or looking at something for information
翻譯: 為獲取資訊而查閱或查看某物的行為。
小提醒：注意 'reference' 作為不可數名詞（泛指行為或概念）與可數名詞（指具體的參考資料或推薦信）的用法區別。例如：'for future reference'（供日後參考）不可數；'three references'（三份推薦信）可數。
發音（How to Pronounce "Reference" in English）
How to pronounce "Reference" in English?"Reference" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Reference" from YouTube Videos
How to separate fact and fiction online | Markham Nolan
TED
“And we found a house with a swimming pool that looked remarkably like Rita's. So we went back to the video and we had to look for clues that we could cross-reference.”
(1 out of 38)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Reference"?How does "Reference" change by context?
2. a source of information used to check facts or get knowledge
參考資料，參考文獻
You should list all your references at the end of the essay.
你應該在論文末尾列出所有的參考文獻。
This dictionary is an excellent reference for students.
這本字典是學生極佳的參考工具。
I keep the manual for quick reference.
我留著這本手冊以便快速查閱。
3. a statement about someone's character or abilities, often for a job
推薦信，介紹信
My former employer gave me a good reference.
我的前雇主為我寫了一封很好的推薦信。
You will need to provide two professional references.
你需要提供兩封專業推薦信。
4. a person who provides information about another's character or abilities
推薦人，介紹人
Please list three references we can contact.
請列出三位我們可以聯繫的推薦人。
5. a relation or connection between things
關聯，參照
The data is presented without reference to any specific time period.
這些數據的呈現沒有參照任何特定的時間段。
Success should be measured in reference to your own goals.
成功與否應參照你自己的目標來衡量。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Reference"?How to make natural sentences with "Reference"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| reference + to + noun/pronoun | 對…的提及、涉及 | His speech contained several references to recent events. (他的演講多次提及近期事件。) |
| for reference | 供參考 | Please keep this document for reference. (請保留這份文件以供參考。) |
| in/with reference to + noun | 關於… | I am writing with reference to your recent inquiry. (我寫這封信是關於您近期的詢問。) |
| make reference to + noun | 提到、引用 | The article makes reference to a famous historical study. (這篇文章引用了一項著名的歷史研究。) |
| a point of reference | 參考點、基準 | The old lighthouse served as a point of reference for sailors. (這座舊燈塔曾是水手們的參考點。) |
| without reference to + noun | 不考慮…、與…無關 | The decision was made without reference to political pressure. (這個決定是在不考慮政治壓力的情況下做出的。) |
用法說明
How is "Reference" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Reference"?
reference to + noun vs. reference + gerund
- reference to + noun 是最常見且標準的用法，表示「提及、參考」某個具體的事物、人或文件。
- reference + gerund 在正式文法中較不常見，有時在非正式語境中出現，可能帶有「提及...的行為」的意味，但通常建議避免。
- 動詞 reference 本身不直接接不定詞 (to do)，也不使用 would reference to + V 的結構。 EN: Please include a reference to the original contract in your report. 翻譯: 請在你的報告中加入對原始合約的參考。
EN:His speech contained several references to improving workplace safety.
翻譯:他的演講中多次提及改善工作場所安全。
總結建議
在正式寫作與溝通中，應統一使用 reference to + noun 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Reference" and similar words?How to choose "Reference" vs alternatives?
reference vs citation
「reference」泛指提及、參考或查詢的行為或來源；「citation」則特指學術或法律文件中對特定來源的正式引用，通常包含詳細出處。
reference vs allusion
「reference」是直接、明確的提及；「allusion」則是間接、隱晦的暗示，通常需要讀者具備背景知識才能理解。
reference vs recommendation
「reference」作為名詞可指證明人、推薦信或參考資料；「recommendation」則側重於給出的建議或推薦的行為與內容。
口語用法
How is "Reference" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Reference"?
引述
在對話中，用來引述或提及某個來源、人物或文件，使說法更有根據。 EN: As a reference, my professor mentioned this book in class. 翻譯: 作為參考，我的教授在課堂上提到了這本書。
EN:For your reference, the meeting notes are in the shared folder.
翻譯:供你參考，會議記錄在共享資料夾裡。
語氣強調
用於強調某個說法或資訊是經過查證或有權威來源支持的，並非個人意見。 EN: I'm not just saying this—I have it on good reference. 翻譯: 我不是隨便說說的——我有可靠的依據。
EN:Just for the record, and for future reference, we agreed on Tuesday.
翻譯:只是為了記錄，也為了日後有據可查，我們同意的是星期二。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，作為短暫的填充詞，類似「呃」、「那個」。 EN: The policy, reference... uh, the one from last year, needs updating. 翻譯: 那份政策，參考...呃，去年那份，需要更新了。
EN:We need to check the, for reference, the original contract.
翻譯:我們需要查一下，那個，作為參考，原始合約。
注意：上述口語用法，特別是「停頓填充」，在正式寫作（如報告、論文、商業信件）中應避免使用。正式寫作應使用更精確、結構完整的句子來表達相同概念。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Reference"?What fixed phrases with "Reference" should I remember?
for reference
prepositional phrase
供參考
with reference to
prepositional phrase
關於；參照
reference point
noun phrase
參考點；基準點
reference material
noun phrase
參考資料
in reference to
prepositional phrase
關於；提及
cross-reference
noun/verb
相互參照；交互引用
for future reference
prepositional phrase
供日後參考
terms of reference
noun phrase
職權範圍；參考條款
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Reference"?Which "Reference" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I need to check the reference book for more informations.
✓I need to check the reference book for more information.
"Information" is an uncountable noun in English and does not take an "s" in the plural form.
×Please make a reference to the appendix.
✓Please refer to the appendix.
The verb "refer" is used for the action of directing someone to a source. "Make a reference" is less common and can sound unnatural in this context.
×He gave me a good reference letter.
✓He gave me a good letter of reference. / He wrote me a good reference.
While "reference letter" is sometimes used, the more standard and formal phrases are "letter of reference" or simply "a reference" (when the context is clear).
×In reference of your email, I am writing to clarify...
✓With reference to your email, I am writing to clarify...
The correct prepositional phrase for formally introducing a topic based on a previous communication is "with reference to".
×This data is for your reference only. Please don't spread it.
✓This information is for your reference only. Please keep it confidential.
While "for your reference" is correct, the second sentence is a style/register issue. In formal contexts, "keep it confidential" is more appropriate than the informal "don't spread it".
×She is my reference person for the job application.
✓She is my reference for the job application.
The word "reference" itself can mean a person who provides a recommendation. Adding "person" is redundant and unnatural.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Reference"?What are tense/participle forms of "Reference"?