Japanese Grammar: 例えば (Tatoeba) – Giving Examples

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Japanese Grammar: 例えば (Tatoeba) – Giving Examples
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

‘Tatoeba’ means ‘for example’ or ‘for instance’. It is used to introduce an illustration, a case, or a hypothetical situation to clarify a general statement.

🎯 Primary Function

To provide an example (exemplification).

📋 Grammar Structure

例えば + [Sentence with Verb]
例えば + [Sentence with I-adjective]
例えば + [Sentence with Na-adjective]
例えば + [Sentence in negative form]

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used in presentations, reports, and business meetings to provide data or scenarios.

😊 Informal Situations

Used frequently in casual talk when suggesting ideas or explaining things to friends.

✍️ Written Language

Standard in essays and articles to support arguments with evidence.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Commonly used at the start of sentences or mid-sentence after a pause.

💡 Common Applications

Listing Items
Used to give specific examples of things belonging to a larger category.
Example: 例えば、パンや卵を買いました。
Hypothetical Scenarios
Used to introduce a ‘what if’ situation that hasn’t actually happened.
Example: 例えばの話ですが…
Clarifying a Point
Used to re-explain a complex idea using a simpler illustration.
Example: 例えばこういうことです。
📊
Frequency
Very high. Essential for daily conversation and academic writing.
🎚️
Difficulty
N3 (though introduced earlier, mastery of nuances is N3 level)
Tag:

Related Kanji

JLPT N3 Kanji List

Related Vocabulary

JLPT N3 Vocabulary List
Example Sentences
Example #1
例えば、私はリンゴやバナナが好きです。
Furigana: たとえば、わたしはリンゴやバナナがすきです。
Romaji: Tatoeba, watashi wa ringo ya banana ga suki desu.
English: For example, I like fruits such as apples and bananas.
Example #2
例えばの話ですが、宝くじに当たったらどうしますか？
Furigana: たとえのはなしですが、たからくじにあたったらどうしますか？
Romaji: Tatoeba no hanashi desu ga, takarakuji ni atattara dou shimasu ka?
English: Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if you won the lottery?
Example #3
例えば、週末にキャンプに行くのはどうですか。
Furigana: たとえば、しゅうまつにキャンプにいくのはどうですか。
Romaji: Tatoeba, shuumatsu ni kyanpu ni iku no wa dou desu ka.
English: How about going camping this weekend, for instance?
Example #4
日本には美味しい食べ物がたくさんあります。例えば、寿司や天ぷらです。
Furigana: にほんにはおいしいたべものがたくさんあります。たとえば、すしやてんぷらです。
Romaji: Nihon ni wa oishii tabemono ga takusan arimasu. Tatoeba, sushi ya tenpura desu.
English: There are many delicious foods in Japan. For example, sushi and tempura.
Example #5
例えば雨が降っても、試合は行われます。
Furigana: たとえあめがふっても、しあいはおこなわれます。
Romaji: Tatoeba ame ga futtemo, shiai wa okonawaremasu.
English: Even if it rains, for example, the match will be held.
Example #6
健康のために、例えば毎日散歩をすることにしています。
Furigana: けんこうのために、たとえばまいにちさんぽをすることにしています。
Romaji: Kenkou no tame ni, tatoeba mainichi sanpo o suru koto ni shite imasu.
English: For the sake of health, I make it a rule to do things like walking every day.
Example #7
例えば、この問題はどう解けばいいですか。
Furigana: たとえば、このもんだいはどうとけばいいですか。
Romaji: Tatoeba, kono mondai wa dou tokeba ii desu ka.
English: For example, how should I solve this problem?
Example #8
何かスポーツはしていますか？例えばサッカーとか。
Furigana: なにかスポーツはしていますか？たとえばサッカーとか。
Romaji: Nanika supootsu wa shite imasu ka? Tatoeba sakkaa toka.
English: Do you play any sports? For example, soccer or something?
Example #9
例えば、彼のような努力家は珍しい。
Furigana: たとえば、かれのようなどりょくかはめずらしい。
Romaji: Tatoeba, kare no you na doryokuka wa mezurashii.
English: For instance, a hard worker like him is rare.
Example #10
彼は多くの趣味を持っています。例えば、料理や写真などです。
Furigana: かれはおおくのしゅみをもっています。たとえば、りょうりやしゃしんなどです。
Romaji: Kare wa ooku no shumi o motte imasu. Tatoeba, ryouri ya shashin nado desu.
English: He has many hobbies. For example, cooking and photography.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Pairing with ‘Nado’ or ‘Toka’
It is frequently used in conjunction with particles like ‘nado’ (etc.) or ‘toka’ (or the like) to indicate the list is not exhaustive.
Example: 例えば、リンゴやバナナなど…
Hypothetical ‘What if’ Situations
When starting a hypothetical question, use ‘Tatoeba no hanashi desu ga’ to signal it’s a ‘what if’ scenario.
Example: 例えばの話ですが、もし…

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ 例えば、寿司。 (as a complete sentence)
✅ 例えば、寿司や天ぷらなど。
‘Tatoeba’ is usually paired with listing particles like ‘nado’ or ‘toka’ rather than being used alone to end a sentence.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. It can be used in both ‘desu/masu’ and plain forms.
Social Situations: Indispensable for explaining personal preferences or making group decisions.
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

例えば vs. 例を挙げると (rei o ageru to)
‘Tatoeba’ is more general and common; ‘Rei o ageru to’ is more formal and literal (lifting up an example).
When to use: Use ‘Tatoeba’ in conversation; use ‘Rei o ageru to’ in formal speeches or writing.

📝 Conjugation Notes

As an adverb, it does not conjugate. It can be used as a noun phrase in ‘例えばの話’ (tatoeba no hanashi – a hypothetical story).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The ‘ta’ is often slightly emphasized when starting a new thought. In casual speech, it may be shortened or followed by a pause.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of the ‘Rei’ in ‘Tatoeba’ (例) which also appears in ‘Reibun’ (Example sentence). This helps link the concept of ‘example’ to the kanji.

Other Grammar

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