典 拠(てんきょ)

てんきょ

noun

authority; documentary source; basis

formalacademic

1. authority; documentary source; textual basis

The authoritative written source that a statement, quotation, or word usage is based on. More formal than 出典(しゅってん) and emphasizes the reliability of the source as grounds for a claim.

典拠(てんきょ)を示(しめ)す。

To cite the authority (for a claim).

この説(せつ)には確(たし)かな典拠(てんきょ)がある。

This theory has a solid documentary basis.

辞書(じしょ)の記述(きじゅつ)は、古(ふる)い文献(ぶんけん)を典拠(てんきょ)としている。

The dictionary's descriptions are based on old texts as their authority.

Composition: 典(てん) (classic, authoritative text) + 拠(きょ) (basis, grounds). Literally "grounds in an authoritative text."

Common collocations

典拠(てんきょ)を示(しめ)す: to cite one's authority
典拠(てんきょ)にする: to take as one's source/basis
典拠(てんきょ)不明(ふめい): source unknown

Similar words

出典(しゅってん): source, reference — where a quote or item comes from; more everyday
根拠(こんきょ): grounds, basis — broader; the reasoning behind a claim, not necessarily a text

Related Words

Compare: 出典(しゅってん) (source, reference)

Compare: 根拠(こんきょ) (grounds, basis)

general

Added 2026.7.7 6:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

29500/29713_tenkyo