敢(あ)えて

あえて
adverb
daringly, purposely, deliberately
expression
1. daringly, boldly, deliberately
Doing something despite difficulties, risks, or opposition. Implies a conscious choice to proceed anyway.
敢(あ)えて言(い)うなら、反対(はんたい)だ。
If I had to say, I'm against it.
敢(あ)えて挑戦(ちょうせん)することにした。
I decided to take on the challenge anyway.
敢(あ)えて言(い)わせてもらえば、それは間違(まちが)いだ。
If I may be so bold, that's wrong.
危険(きけん)だと分(わ)かっていても、敢(あ)えて進(すす)むしかなかった。
Even though I knew it was dangerous, I had no choice but to press on regardless.
周(まわ)りが反対(はんたい)しても、敢(あ)えて自分(じぶん)の道(みち)を選(えら)んだ。
Even though those around me were opposed, I dared to choose my own path.
2. purposely, intentionally (with nuance of going against the norm)
Choosing to do something different from what is expected or conventional.
敢(あ)えて説明(せつめい)するまでもない。
It hardly needs to be said.
With negative
便利(べんり)な方法(ほうほう)があるのに、敢(あ)えて手作(てづく)りにこだわった。
Even though there were convenient methods, I deliberately stuck to handmade.
敢(あ)えて違(ちが)う意見(いけん)を出(だ)してみた。
I purposely offered a different opinion.
みんなが賛成(さんせい)する中(なか)で、敢(あ)えて問題点(もんだいてん)を指摘(してき)した。
While everyone agreed, I deliberately pointed out the problems.
簡単(かんたん)な道(みち)を選(えら)ばず、敢(あ)えて難(むずか)しい方(ほう)に挑(いど)んだことが、今(いま)の自分(じぶん)を作(つく)った。
Deliberately choosing the hard road over the easy one is what made me who I am today.

Common patterns

  • 敢(あ)えて言(い)えば (if I dare say; to put it bluntly)
  • 敢(あ)えて～する (dare to do ~)
  • 敢(あ)えて～ない (not bother to ~; not go so far as to ~)

Usage

  • With affirmative verbs: implies doing something despite obstacles
  • With negative verbs: implies not bothering to do something unnecessary

Similar words

  • わざわざ emphasizes going out of one's way or making extra effort
  • 敢(あ)えて emphasizes boldness or going against the grain
  • 殊更(ことさら)に emphasizes deliberate emphasis or exaggeration

Writing

Usually written in kana, あえて.

Related Words

Related: わざわざ
Compare: 殊更(ことさら) (deliberately)
core
Added 2026.1.17 11:07 · Revised 2026.9.30 22:27
06000/06074_aete