例(たと)えば

たとえば
adverb
for example
1. for example, for instance
Used to introduce an example to illustrate a point.
例(たと)えば何(なに)?
For example, what?
例(たと)えば、どんなものがありますか。
For example, what kind of things are there?
日本(にほん)の食(た)べ物(もの)、例(たと)えば寿司(すし)やラーメンが好(す)きです。
I like Japanese food, for example sushi and ramen.
例(たと)えば彼(かれ)のような人(ひと)になりたいです。
I want to become someone like him, for example.
運動(うんどう)は健康(けんこう)にいいです。例(たと)えば走(はし)ることや泳(およ)ぐことがおすすめです。
Exercise is good for health. For example, running and swimming are recommended.

例(たと)えば is an essential adverb for introducing examples, equivalent to "for example" or "for instance."

POSITIONS:

ETYMOLOGY:
From 例(たと)える (to compare) + ば (if). Literally means "if we give an example."

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

USAGE NOTE:
Often followed by a comma. Very common in both spoken and written Japanese for clarifying abstract statements with concrete examples.

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:45 · Revised 2026.2.21 23:01
00500/00999_tatoeba