例の
Meanings
pre-noun adjectival
the usual; that typical
Refers to something that is habitual, expected, or characteristic of a person or situation. Often used when both speaker and listener share an understanding of what is meant.
He's having coffee at that usual café again today.
pre-noun adjectival
that (aforementioned); you-know-what
Points to a specific person, thing, or matter previously mentioned or implicitly understood between speaker and listener, often with a conspiratorial or euphemistic tone.
What happened with that matter we talked about?
in the usual way
Archaic adverbial use; in modern Japanese the pre-noun adjectival form is standard.
In old documents it is sometimes used adverbially, as in 例のごとく (as usual).
Usage patterns
- 例の〈人〉that certain person (both speaker and listener know who)
That person (you know who) came again.
- 例の〈場所〉the usual place
Let's meet at the usual place.
- 例の〈事〉that matter (previously mentioned or understood)
Has that thing (you know what I mean) been resolved yet?