典拠(てんきょ)

てんきょ
noun
authority; documentary source; basis
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
general
Added 2026.7.7 6:18
29500/29713_tenkyo