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例え (たとえ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
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Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 を 例たと えに 挙あ げる to give ~ as an example
The teacher explained by giving a concrete example.
〈 物もの 〉 を 例たと えにする to use ~ as an example/comparison
He used the flow of a river as a metaphor for life.
例たと えで 説せつ 明めい する to explain something using a metaphor/comparison
She explained the difficult concept using a metaphor.
Expressions 例たと えに 言い う speak metaphorically; use a figure of speech 例たと えるなら for example; if I were to compare it 例たと えて 言い うと figuratively speaking; metaphorically speaking; so to speak Related words 比喩 is the formal, academic term for a metaphor or simile, while 例え is the everyday word that can mean either a concrete example or a figurative comparison.
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.
実例 stresses a real, concrete case actually observed, whereas 例え can be a hypothetical or invented example used for explanation.
寓話 refers specifically to a fable or allegorical story with a moral, while 例え more broadly covers any metaphor, simile, or illustrative comparison.
Don't confuse with 例えば is an adverb meaning 'for example' used to introduce a case, whereas 例え is the noun for the example or comparison itself.
例え is a simile or metaphor, while 例 is a concrete example or precedent.
Written forms 例たと え Usage 19%
Standard kanji spelling for 'example'; also used for 'simile/metaphor' but 喩え is more specific.
たとえ Usage 56%
譬たと え Usage 14%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form for 'simile/metaphor'.
喩たと え Usage 8%
Etymology Derived from the verb 例える (たとえる, 'to compare, liken'). The kanji 例 carries the meaning 'example, precedent', while 喩 and 譬 are used specifically for figurative comparisons.
Preferred spelling for 'simile/metaphor/allegory' to distinguish from 'example'.
譬たとえ Usage 3%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form for 'simile/metaphor'.
