Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
For example; for instance.
🎯 Primary Function
To introduce a specific instance, illustration, or supporting evidence for a preceding general statement or topic.
📋 Grammar Structure
[General Sentence/Idea]。 例えば、[Specific Example Sentence]。
[General Noun] には、例えば、[Specific Item] があります。
Not applicable (Adverb). Used after a general statement.
[General Negative Statement]。 例えば、[Specific Negative Example] (e.g., 遅刻をしない)。
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Very common and appropriate in academic, business, and polite discussions.
Informal Situations
Common. Often used followed by a short example or sometimes shortened in quick speech.
Written Language
Essential for explanatory, persuasive, and structured writing (essays, reports).
Spoken Language
Frequently used to ensure clarity and structure when explaining points.
💡 Common Applications
Illustrating a General Statement
Used to introduce one or more specific cases that support or clarify a preceding general statement or concept.
Example: 健康に良い食べ物が多い。例えば、野菜や魚など。
Providing Options or Possibilities
Used when listing potential choices, hypothetical scenarios, or suggestions.
Example: 週末は何かしたい。例えば、映画を見に行くのはどう？
In Formal Explanations
Used as a signpost phrase in formal presentations or documents to shift from a broad point to supporting evidence.
Example: 弊社の製品は多用途です。例えば、この機能をご覧ください。
Frequency
Very High
Difficulty
Easy (Concept), Medium (Nuances/Placement)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
日本には美味しい食べ物が多いです。例えば、寿司やラーメンなどです。
Furigana: にほんにはおいしい たべものが おおいです。たとえば、すしや ラーメンなどです。
Romaji: Nihon ni wa oishii tabemono ga ooi desu. Tatoeba, sushi ya rāmen nado desu.
English: There are many delicious foods in Japan. For example, sushi and ramen.
Example #2
顧客満足度を上げる方法はいくつかあります。例えば、迅速な対応などが考えられます。
Furigana: こきゃくまんぞくどを あげる ほうほうは いくつか あります。たとえば、じんそくな たいおうなどが かんがえられます。
Romaji: Kyakusama manzokudo o ageru hōhō wa ikutsu ka arimasu. Tatoeba, jinsokuna taiō nado ga kangaeraremasu.
English: There are several ways to increase customer satisfaction. For example, prompt response time is one idea.
Example #3
趣味として何か運動を始めたいです。例えば、水泳やジョギングはどうでしょうか。
Furigana: しゅみとして なにか うんどうを はじめたいです。たとえば、すいえいや ジョギングは どうでしょうか。
Romaji: Shumi to shite nanika undō o hajimetai desu. Tatoeba, suiei ya jogingu wa dō deshō ka.
English: I want to start some form of exercise as a hobby. For instance, how about swimming or jogging?
Example #4
毎日何か新しいことを学ぶのは大切です。例えば、漢字を一つ覚えるとか。
Furigana: まいにち なにか あたらしいことを まなぶのは たいせつです。たとえば、かんじを ひとつ おぼえるとか。
Romaji: Mainichi nanika atarashii koto o manabu no wa taisetsu desu. Tatoeba, kanji o hitotsu oboeru toka.
English: It is important to learn something new every day. For example, memorizing one kanji character.
Example #5
環境問題は深刻です。例えば、最近の異常気象はその一つです。
Furigana: かんきょうもんだいは しんこくです。たとえば、さいきんの いじょうきしょうは その ひとつです。
Romaji: Kankyō mondai wa shinkoku desu. Tatoeba, saikin no ijō kishō wa sono hitotsu desu.
English: Environmental problems are serious. For example, the recent abnormal weather is one such problem.
Example #6
彼は色々な言語が話せます。例えば、英語、中国語など。
Furigana: かれは いろいろな げんごが はなせます。たとえば、えいご、ちゅうごくごなど。
Romaji: Kare wa iroirona gengo ga hanasemasu. Tatoeba, eigo, chūgokugo nado.
English: He can speak various languages. For example, English, Chinese, and so on.
Example #7
やってはいけないことはたくさんあります。例えば、遅刻をするとか。
Furigana: やってはいけないことは たくさん あります。たとえば、ちこくを する とか。
Romaji: Yatte wa ikenai koto wa takusan arimasu. Tatoeba, chikoku o suru toka.
English: There are many things you shouldn’t do. For example, being late.
Example #8
そのシステムは多機能です。例えば、どんな機能があるのですか？
Furigana: その システムは たきのうです。たとえば、どんな きのうが あるのですか？
Romaji: Sono shisutemu wa takinō desu. Tatoeba, donna kinō ga aru no desu ka?
English: That system is multi-functional. For example, what kind of functions does it have?
Example #9
辛いものが好きです。例えば、キムチ！
Furigana: からいものが すきです。たとえば、キムチ！
Romaji: Karai mono ga suki desu. Tatoeba, kimchi!
English: I like spicy food. For example, kimchi!
Example #10
ストレス解消には様々な方法があります。例えば、音楽を聴いたり、散歩をしたりすることです。
Furigana: ストレスかいしょうには さまざまな ほうほうがあります。たとえば、おんがくを きいたり、さんぽを したりすることです。
Romaji: Sutoresu kaishō ni wa samazamana hōhō ga arimasu. Tatoeba, ongaku o kiitari, sanpo o shitari suru koto desu.
English: There are various ways to relieve stress. For example, listening to music or taking a walk.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Frequent Co-occurrence with 「など」
The particle など (nado) meaning “etc.” or “and so on” is frequently used after the list of examples introduced by 例えば, indicating that the list is not exhaustive.
Example: 彼は様々なスポーツが好きだ。例えば、サッカーやバスケットボールなど。
Placement and Punctuation
While often translated as “for example,” in Japanese, it is usually treated as a sentence-initial adverb, often requiring a comma (、) after it for smooth flow.
Example: 最近のテクノロジーはすごい。例えば、AIは私たちの生活を変えている。
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 旅行が好きだ、富士山 例えば。 (Ryokō ga suki da, Fujisan tatoeba.)
✅ Make sure to place 例えば BEFORE the example.
Beginners sometimes place 例えば after the example or within the general statement, which disrupts flow.
❌ 例えば、あのレストラン。 (Tatoeba, ano resutoran.) without prior context.
✅ Always follow the general statement with 例えば.
Assuming the listener knows the context without stating the general principle first can lead to confusion.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. Appropriate for all politeness levels (used with both dictionary and polite forms of the verbs).
Social Situations: Essential for coherent explanations, debates, and teaching/learning environments.
Regional Variations: Standard across all regions of Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
例えば (tatoeba) vs. 例えばで言うと (tatoeba de iu to)
The latter is more emphatic, conversational, and often used when someone specifically requests an example (“If I were to give an example…”).
When to use: Use 例えば for general, straightforward illustration. Use 例えばで言うと in more casual, spoken contexts or when emphasizing the example.
例えば (tatoeba) vs. なぜなら (nazenara)
例えば introduces an example (illustration). なぜなら introduces a reason or cause (explanation).
When to use: Use 例えば when providing proof or clarity. Use なぜなら when justifying a preceding statement.
📝 Conjugation Notes
例えば is a fixed adverb/conjunctive expression and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce the three syllables ‘ta,’ ‘to,’ and ‘e’ distinctly, followed by ‘ba.’ The pitch accent is generally flat.
🧠 Memory Tips
Relate 例 (rei) to ‘Rei’ (as in ‘Rei-kai’ or Example Case). ‘Ta-to-e-ba’ sounds like ‘Try to abbreviate’ or ‘Take a brief example.’
Other Grammar
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