例れい

れ

い

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 1,000

Meanings

noun

example; instance; illustration

Used for a concrete example, sample, or illustrative case. Common in explanations, textbooks, and everyday speech.

例れいを挙あげて説せつ明めいしてください。
Please explain by giving an example.
これは良よい例れいだ。
This is a good example.

noun

precedent

Refers to a past case or precedent used as a reference, often in legal, business, or formal contexts.

過か去この例れいを調しらべて判はん断だんする。
We will decide after examining past precedents.

noun

custom; habit; practice

Describes a customary practice, habitual action, or common usage. Often appears in set phrases like 例の (the usual) or 例によって (as usual).

彼かれは例れいによって遅ち刻こくした。
He was late, as usual.
例れいの店みせで待まち合あわせよう。
Let's meet at the usual place.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉の例れいとしてas an example of ~
環かん境きょう問もん題だいの例れいとして、地ち球きゅう温おん暖だん化かが挙あげられる。
Global warming can be cited as an example of environmental problems.
例れいを示しめすto give/show an example
先せん生せいは具ぐ体たい的てきな例れいを示しめして説せつ明めいした。
The teacher explained by showing a concrete example.
例れいに従したがうto follow precedent
今こん回かいも例れいに従したがって処しょ理りすることにした。
This time too, we decided to handle it following precedent.
例れいに倣ならうto follow someone's example/lead
他た社しゃの例れいに倣ならって新あたらしい制せい度どを導どう入にゅうした。
We introduced the new system following the example of other companies.

Expressions· 8

例れいにとるuse as an example; take as an illustration; draw a parallel
例れいを引ひくcite an example; give an example
例れいによってas usual; as always; as is one's habit
例れいに漏もれずas is usual; without exception; as always
例れいのごとくas always; as usual

Show 3 more

例れいを挙あげるgive an example; cite an example
史し上じょうに例れいを見みないunparalleled in history; unprecedented
例れいによって例れいの如ごとしas always; the same as it always is

Kanji

例example, custom, usage

Related words· 10

実じつ例れいN2sense 1
実例 emphasizes a real, actual example drawn from life, while 例 can refer to a general or even hypothetical instance.
事じ例れいN1sense 1
事例 refers to a specific case or instance often used in business or technical contexts, whereas 例 is a broader, everyday term for any kind of example.
前ぜん例れいN1sense 2
前例 specifically means a prior case cited as precedent, while 例 in this sense can also cover any illustrative example, not just precedents.
慣かん例れいN1sense 3
慣例 refers to an established, formal custom or convention, while 例 in this sense simply means a customary practice without that added formality.

Show 6 more

見み本ほんN3sense 1
見本 is a physical sample or specimen you can hold, while 例 is an abstract example or instance, not necessarily a physical thing.
一いち例れい
例 is the general word for 'example', while 一例 stresses that it is just one instance among possibly many.
引ひき合あい
例 is a plain, everyday word for an example, while 引き合い specifically means something cited as a reference or comparison, as in 引き合いに出す.
例たとえN3
例 is the plain, general word for 'example' used in set phrases like 例を挙げる, while 例え carries a slightly more explanatory or illustrative nuance.
範はん
例 is a neutral word for any example or instance, whereas 範 specifically implies a model worth following, not just any instance.
用よう例れいN1
例 is the general word for 'example' in any context, while 用例 is narrower, referring specifically to an example illustrating word usage.

Opposites

例れい外がいN2sense 3
例外 is an exception that breaks the usual pattern, while 例 is a typical instance that follows and illustrates it.

Don't confuse with· 7

例たとえN3sense 1
例え is a simile or metaphor, while 例 is a concrete example or precedent.
礼れいN3
礼 means a bow or an expression of thanks and is pronounced the same as 例, but the two words are otherwise unrelated in meaning.
レイ
レイ (a Hawaiian flower garland) is unrelated in meaning to 例, which is pronounced the same but means 'example'.

Show 4 more

例ためしN1
例（れい）is the common, everyday reading meaning 'example' in general contexts, whereas 例（ためし）is a rarer reading restricted mainly to set phrases about past precedents.
例たとえばN4
例 is the noun meaning 'example' or 'instance', while 例えば is the adverb used to introduce one in a sentence.
令れい
令 (command, order) and 例 (example, instance) share the same reading れい but have completely unrelated meanings and different kanji.
零れいN5
例 (れい) means an example or instance, unlike 零 (れい) which means the number zero; they share only the reading.

Counted with

つ sense 1
例 is usually counted with 「つ」 (箇), as in 一つの例, since it is treated as an abstract item rather than a physical object.

Word family· 94

事じ例れいN1
example; precedent; case
例れい外がいN2
exception
条じょう例れいN1
regulation; ordinance; bylaw; rule
比ひ例れいN1
proportion; ratio; proportionality · proportional representation section (election)
恒こう例れいN1
established practice; custom; annual tradition

Show 25 more

異い例れいN1
exceptional; unprecedented; unusual
例れい年ねんN1
average year; normal year; ordinary year · every year; annually
判はん例れいN1
judicial precedent; leading case; prior case
前ぜん例れいN1
precedent; previous example
特とく例れい
special case; exception
実じつ例れいN2
actual example; concrete instance; precedent
定てい例れい
regular; scheduled; ordinary · established usage; precedent; regular practice
症しょう例れい
medical case; clinical case
慣かん例れいN1
custom; practice; convention; precedent
例れい文ぶんN1
example sentence; illustrative sentence; model sentence
通つう例れい
custom; general rule; convention · usually; generally; as a rule
例れい示じ
exemplification; illustration by example
先せん例れいN1
precedent; prior example
反はん比ぴ例れいN2
inverse proportion; inverse relationship
用よう例れいN1
example; usage example
作さく例れい
model of writing; example of writing · example sentence (in a dictionary); illustrative sentence
好こう例れい
good example; excellent case
月げつ例れい
monthly; regular monthly
例れい題だいN1
example; exercise (for the reader)
例れい会かい
regular meeting; periodic meeting
例れい祭さい
regular festival; annual festival
反はん例れい
counterexample
文ぶん例れい
sample sentence; example sentence
例れい証しょう
exemplification; illustration; example
凡はん例れい
explanatory notes; introductory remarks; usage guide · legend; key

See all 94 in Explore →

Etymology

The kanji 例 originally meant 'to arrange in order' or 'rule,' and came to mean 'example' or 'precedent.' The reading れい is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.

例れい

れ

い

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 1,000

Meanings

noun

example; instance; illustration

Used for a concrete example, sample, or illustrative case. Common in explanations, textbooks, and everyday speech.

例れいを挙あげて説せつ明めいしてください。
Please explain by giving an example.
これは良よい例れいだ。
This is a good example.

noun

precedent

Refers to a past case or precedent used as a reference, often in legal, business, or formal contexts.

過か去この例れいを調しらべて判はん断だんする。
We will decide after examining past precedents.

noun

custom; habit; practice

Describes a customary practice, habitual action, or common usage. Often appears in set phrases like 例の (the usual) or 例によって (as usual).

彼かれは例れいによって遅ち刻こくした。
He was late, as usual.
例れいの店みせで待まち合あわせよう。
Let's meet at the usual place.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉の例れいとしてas an example of ~
環かん境きょう問もん題だいの例れいとして、地ち球きゅう温おん暖だん化かが挙あげられる。
Global warming can be cited as an example of environmental problems.
例れいを示しめすto give/show an example
先せん生せいは具ぐ体たい的てきな例れいを示しめして説せつ明めいした。
The teacher explained by showing a concrete example.
例れいに従したがうto follow precedent
今こん回かいも例れいに従したがって処しょ理りすることにした。
This time too, we decided to handle it following precedent.
例れいに倣ならうto follow someone's example/lead
他た社しゃの例れいに倣ならって新あたらしい制せい度どを導どう入にゅうした。
We introduced the new system following the example of other companies.

Expressions· 8

例れいにとるuse as an example; take as an illustration; draw a parallel
例れいを引ひくcite an example; give an example
例れいによってas usual; as always; as is one's habit
例れいに漏もれずas is usual; without exception; as always
例れいのごとくas always; as usual

Show 3 more

例れいを挙あげるgive an example; cite an example
史し上じょうに例れいを見みないunparalleled in history; unprecedented
例れいによって例れいの如ごとしas always; the same as it always is

Kanji

例example, custom, usage

Related words· 10

実じつ例れいN2sense 1
実例 emphasizes a real, actual example drawn from life, while 例 can refer to a general or even hypothetical instance.
事じ例れいN1sense 1
事例 refers to a specific case or instance often used in business or technical contexts, whereas 例 is a broader, everyday term for any kind of example.
前ぜん例れいN1sense 2
前例 specifically means a prior case cited as precedent, while 例 in this sense can also cover any illustrative example, not just precedents.
慣かん例れいN1sense 3
慣例 refers to an established, formal custom or convention, while 例 in this sense simply means a customary practice without that added formality.

Show 6 more

見み本ほんN3sense 1
見本 is a physical sample or specimen you can hold, while 例 is an abstract example or instance, not necessarily a physical thing.
一いち例れい
例 is the general word for 'example', while 一例 stresses that it is just one instance among possibly many.
引ひき合あい
例 is a plain, everyday word for an example, while 引き合い specifically means something cited as a reference or comparison, as in 引き合いに出す.
例たとえN3
例 is the plain, general word for 'example' used in set phrases like 例を挙げる, while 例え carries a slightly more explanatory or illustrative nuance.
範はん
例 is a neutral word for any example or instance, whereas 範 specifically implies a model worth following, not just any instance.
用よう例れいN1
例 is the general word for 'example' in any context, while 用例 is narrower, referring specifically to an example illustrating word usage.

Opposites

例れい外がいN2sense 3
例外 is an exception that breaks the usual pattern, while 例 is a typical instance that follows and illustrates it.

Don't confuse with· 7

例たとえN3sense 1
例え is a simile or metaphor, while 例 is a concrete example or precedent.
礼れいN3
礼 means a bow or an expression of thanks and is pronounced the same as 例, but the two words are otherwise unrelated in meaning.
レイ
レイ (a Hawaiian flower garland) is unrelated in meaning to 例, which is pronounced the same but means 'example'.

Show 4 more

例ためしN1
例（れい）is the common, everyday reading meaning 'example' in general contexts, whereas 例（ためし）is a rarer reading restricted mainly to set phrases about past precedents.
例たとえばN4
例 is the noun meaning 'example' or 'instance', while 例えば is the adverb used to introduce one in a sentence.
令れい
令 (command, order) and 例 (example, instance) share the same reading れい but have completely unrelated meanings and different kanji.
零れいN5
例 (れい) means an example or instance, unlike 零 (れい) which means the number zero; they share only the reading.

Counted with

つ sense 1
例 is usually counted with 「つ」 (箇), as in 一つの例, since it is treated as an abstract item rather than a physical object.

Word family· 94

事じ例れいN1
example; precedent; case
例れい外がいN2
exception
条じょう例れいN1
regulation; ordinance; bylaw; rule
比ひ例れいN1
proportion; ratio; proportionality · proportional representation section (election)
恒こう例れいN1
established practice; custom; annual tradition

Show 25 more

異い例れいN1
exceptional; unprecedented; unusual
例れい年ねんN1
average year; normal year; ordinary year · every year; annually
判はん例れいN1
judicial precedent; leading case; prior case
前ぜん例れいN1
precedent; previous example
特とく例れい
special case; exception
実じつ例れいN2
actual example; concrete instance; precedent
定てい例れい
regular; scheduled; ordinary · established usage; precedent; regular practice
症しょう例れい
medical case; clinical case
慣かん例れいN1
custom; practice; convention; precedent
例れい文ぶんN1
example sentence; illustrative sentence; model sentence
通つう例れい
custom; general rule; convention · usually; generally; as a rule
例れい示じ
exemplification; illustration by example
先せん例れいN1
precedent; prior example
反はん比ぴ例れいN2
inverse proportion; inverse relationship
用よう例れいN1
example; usage example
作さく例れい
model of writing; example of writing · example sentence (in a dictionary); illustrative sentence
好こう例れい
good example; excellent case
月げつ例れい
monthly; regular monthly
例れい題だいN1
example; exercise (for the reader)
例れい会かい
regular meeting; periodic meeting
例れい祭さい
regular festival; annual festival
反はん例れい
counterexample
文ぶん例れい
sample sentence; example sentence
例れい証しょう
exemplification; illustration; example
凡はん例れい
explanatory notes; introductory remarks; usage guide · legend; key

See all 94 in Explore →

Etymology

The kanji 例 originally meant 'to arrange in order' or 'rule,' and came to mean 'example' or 'precedent.' The reading れい is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.