Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering たまえ: The Authoritative Command for JLPT N2 Learners

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

A direct command or instruction, often carrying a strong, authoritative, or slightly old-fashioned nuance.

🎯 Primary Function

To give a direct and firm command or instruction, typically from a superior to an inferior, or in literary/historical contexts.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb ます-stem + たまえ Examples: * 行きます (ikimasu) → 行きたまえ (ikitamae – Go!) * 読みます (yomimasu) → 読みたまえ (yomitamae – Read!) * します (shimasu) → したまえ (shitamae – Do it!) * 見ます (mimasu) → 見たまえ (mitamae – Look!)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be found in very specific formal contexts, such as military commands, traditional arts (e.g., sensei to disciple), or highly structured hierarchical environments, but rarely in modern business. It implies a clear power dynamic.

😊 Informal Situations

Almost never used in everyday informal conversations. If used, it would sound dramatic, arrogant, or as if mimicking a character from a play/historical drama.

✍️ Written Language

Commonly found in classical literature, historical novels, manga, and plays to depict characters with authority or from past eras.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very rare in contemporary spoken Japanese. Primarily encountered in historical dramas, period films, theater, or when imitating a specific character type.

💡 Common Applications

Giving firm commands or instructions.
Used when the speaker wants to issue a direct order.
Example: 静かにしたまえ。(Be quiet!)
Expressing a strong, often slightly dramatic, request.
Can convey a sense of earnestness or a strong wish from a person in authority.
Example: 私に任せたまえ。(Leave it to me.)
Character dialogue in historical or fictional works.
Frequently used by characters like samurai, old teachers, or leaders to convey their authority and era-appropriate speech.
Example: 恐れるな、進みたまえ。(Do not fear, proceed!)
📊
Frequency
Very low in modern everyday Japanese. More common in specific media or historical contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2). The difficulty lies not in conjugation, but in understanding its specific nuance, limited applicability, and the impression it gives.
Example Sentences
静かにしたまえ。
Be quiet!
よく聞きたまえ。
Listen carefully!
私に任せたまえ。
Leave it to me.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Authoritative and Direct
たまえ is a strong, direct command. It is not generally polite in modern usage and implies a clear superior-to-inferior relationship or a position of authority.
Example: 「さあ、始めよう。」「待て、準備したまえ。」(“Alright, let’s begin.” “Wait, prepare yourself.’)
Old-fashioned/Literary Tone
In contemporary Japanese, たまえ sounds quite old-fashioned, dramatic, or literary. Using it in casual modern conversation can sound arrogant, sarcastic, or like you are mimicking a character.
Example: 「諸君、よく聞きたまえ！」 (Ladies and gentlemen, listen well!) – often seen in speeches from older times or fictional leaders.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it with equals or superiors.
✅ Never use たまえ when speaking to someone of equal or higher status, including friends, family, teachers, or supervisors.
たまえ carries an imperative and often condescending nuance if misused.
❌ Using it in everyday modern conversation.
✅ Avoid using たまえ in typical modern daily conversations unless you are role-playing or intentionally creating a dramatic effect.
It will sound unnatural, overly formal, or even rude to native speakers in most contemporary settings.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Low politeness in modern contexts. It is a direct command. While it was used in more formal settings historically (e.g., between master and disciple), in contemporary Japanese, it generally signals authority or an antiquated tone, not politeness.
Social Situations: Primarily limited to specific social situations such as: commanding subordinates in a highly structured hierarchy (e.g., military, traditional dojo), addressing a crowd in a dramatic or authoritative way (e.g., a leader in a historical drama), or within artistic and literary works.
Regional Variations: Not significantly tied to regional variations; its usage is more about register, formality level, and historical context rather than geography.

🔍 Subtle Differences

たまえ vs. なさい
たまえ is a stronger, more authoritative, and often older-fashioned command. なさい is a milder command, often used by parents to children or teachers to students, carrying a softer, more instructional tone.
When to use: Use たまえ for firm, direct commands, especially if aiming for an old-fashioned or authoritative feel. Use なさい for softer, guiding instructions or gentle commands.
たまえ vs. 〜てくれ
たまえ is a direct command. 〜てくれ is a casual request, often from someone of equal or higher status to a close friend or junior, implying “do this for me.”
When to use: Use たまえ for authoritative commands. Use 〜てくれ for casual, personal requests.
たまえ vs. 〜ください
たまえ is a command. 〜ください is a polite request (meaning “please do”).
When to use: Never use たまえ when you intend to make a polite request. Always use 〜ください for politeness.

📝 Conjugation Notes

たまえ always attaches to the ます-stem of verbs. There are no irregular conjugations for たまえ itself, but remember the irregular ます-stem forms for verbs like します (shimasu -> し (shi-masu)).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce たまえ with a firm, clear tone, often with a slight emphasis on the “ma” syllable to convey the authoritative or dramatic feel. It should not sound hesitant or questioning.

🧠 Memory Tips

Associate たまえ with historical figures, samurai, or old sensei characters from Japanese dramas or anime. Think of it as the “old-school boss” command.

Vocabulary List
静か
shizuka
quiet
聞く
kiku
to listen
任せる
makaseru
to entrust, to leave to
安心
anshin
relief, peace of mind
恐れる
osoreru
to fear
進む
susumu
to advance, to proceed
諸君
ladies and gentlemen (formal, addressing a group)
Kanji List
静
しず
quiet
聞
き
listen
任
まか
entrust
安
あん
peace
心
しん
mind, heart
恐
おそ
fear
進
すす
advance
諸
しょ
various, many (used in compounds)
君
くん
you (often used by superiors to inferiors)
基
き
basis, foundation
本
ほん
book, origin
Practice Exercises
上司が部下に対して「たまえ」を使うと、どのような印象を与えますか？
a) 丁寧で友好的
b) 権威的で命令的
c) 非常にカジュアル
d) 謙譲語として
次の文で「たまえ」を使わない方が良いのはどれですか？
a) 「よく聞きたまえ。」(先生が生徒に)
b) 「君、この資料を読みたまえ。」(上司が部下に)
c) 「先生、これを教えてたまえ。」(生徒が先生に)
d) 「皆、静かにしたまえ。」(校長が生徒に)
36 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *