Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering 例えば (tatoeba): Your Guide to Giving Examples in Japanese (JLPT N3)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“For example”, “for instance”

🎯 Primary Function

To introduce one or more specific examples to illustrate a general statement, idea, or concept previously mentioned.

📋 Grammar Structure

Clause/Sentence A. 例えば, Clause/Sentence B (example).

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in moderately formal contexts, especially when giving clear explanations.

😊 Informal Situations

Commonly used in everyday conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Widely used in explanatory texts, essays, and business communication.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very frequently used to clarify points during discussions or explanations.

💡 Common Applications

Giving specific instances to support a general point.
Use 例えば after stating a general idea or opinion to provide concrete examples.
Example: 日本の夏はとても暑いです。例えば、東京では毎日30度を超えます。 (Nihon no natsu wa totemo atsui desu. Tatoeba, Tōkyō de wa mainichi 30-do o koemasu.) – Summer in Japan is very hot. For example, in Tokyo, it exceeds 30 degrees every day.
Listing multiple items in a category.
When talking about a category of things, you can use 例えば to introduce a few items from that category.
Example: 私は果物が好きです。例えば、りんごやバナナなどです。(Watashi wa kudamono ga suki desu. Tatoeba, ringo ya banana nado desu.) – I like fruits. For example, apples, bananas, etc.
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📊
Frequency
Very High
🎚️
Difficulty
Easy (for N3)
Example Sentences
最近、運動不足だと感じています。例えば、階段を上るだけで息切れします。(Saikin, undō-busoku da to kanjite imasu. Tatoeba, kaidan o noboru dake de ikigire shimasu.)
Recently, I feel like I’m not getting enough exercise. For example, I get out of breath just climbing the stairs.
新しい趣味を始めたいと思っています。例えば、絵を描いたり、楽器を習ったりするのはどうですか。(Atarashii shumi o hajimetai to omotte imasu. Tatoeba, e o kaita ri, gakki o narattari suru no wa dō desu ka.)
I’m thinking of starting a new hobby. For example, how about drawing pictures or learning a musical instrument?
このレストランの料理は何でも美味しいです。例えば、このパスタは特におすすめです。(Kono resutoran no ryōri wa nan demo oishii desu. Tatoeba, kono pasuta wa toku ni osusume desu.)
The food at this restaurant is all delicious. For example, this pasta is particularly recommended.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Placement
Typically placed at the beginning of the clause or sentence that provides the example.
Example: 彼は色々なスポーツができます。例えば、サッカーやバスケットボールです。(Kare wa iroirona supōtsu ga dekimasu. Tatoeba, sakkā ya basukettobōru desu.)
Following with Nado (など)
When giving a few examples out of many possibilities, it is common to follow the list of examples with など (nado – etc.)
Example: 日本の伝統的な食べ物はおいしいです。例えば、寿司や天ぷらなど。(Nihon no dentōteki na tabemono wa oishii desu. Tatoeba, sushi ya tenpura nado.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it without a preceding general statement.
✅ Always introduce a general point before using 例えば to illustrate it.
例えば needs context. Don’t start a conversation or explanation with 例如 unless the context is already clearly established.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral
Social Situations: Appropriate in most social situations for explanation and clarification.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese expression, no significant regional variations in meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

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📝 Conjugation Notes

例えば is a fixed adverbial expression and does not conjugate.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced “ta-TO-e-ba”, with emphasis on the second syllable.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of “ta-to-e” as “taking a likeness” or “analogy”, and “-ba” as a conditional/conjunctive particle indicating “if that were the case” or “when that happens”. So, “if we take this as an example…”

Practice Exercises
次の文の___に最も適切な言葉を入れなさい。 日本の四季は美しいです。___、春には桜が見られます。
そして
しかし
例えば
だから
「例えば」は、文の中でどのような役割を果たしますか？
理由を説明する
結果を示す
具体例を挙げる
反対の意見を述べる
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