The Meaning of tatoeba [例えば] In Japanese

例えば
たとえば
Romaji: tatoeba N5

What does 例えば mean?

Translation and Meaning

for example, for instance, such as

Definition

What does 例えば mean? It means ‘for example’ and is used to introduce a concrete illustration or instance to support or clarify what you are saying, signaling that the following content is one case among many.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Introduces a concrete example or set of examples to illustrate a point
  • Used across formal and casual speech and writing
  • Often guides the listener to anticipate a list or explanation

Composition

  • 例: example, instance
  • 外: outside, external; together they form a fixed phrase used to present an illustration from outside the main point

Usage

Used to present specific instances after a claim or within a narrative; it functions as a guiding device in both spoken and written contexts and can appear mid-sentence or at the start of a clause, often followed by the example itself or a list of items.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine pulling an illustration from outside the main sentence to show your point, using 例 for ‘example’ and 外 to cue ‘outside’ as a signal that what follows is a concrete case.

Variations

  • 例として (れいとして) — as an example
  • 一例として (いちれいとして) — as one example

Example Phrases

  • 例えば、朝の電車は混んでいるから急いで家を出ます。
    Tatoeba, asa no densha wa konde iru kara isoide ie o demasu.
    For example, the morning trains are crowded, so I hurry out of the house.
    Lista:
    • 例えば (tatoeba) – for example
    • 朝の電車は (asa no densha wa) – the morning trains are
    • 混んでいるから (konde iru kara) – because it’s crowded
    • 急いで (isoide) – in a hurry
    • 家を出ます (ie o demasu) – leave the house
    Use 「例えば」 to introduce an example; it marks the sentence as giving an everyday scenario.
例えば