1.
daringly, boldly, deliberately
Doing something despite difficulties, risks, or opposition. Implies a conscious choice to proceed anyway.
敢えて言わせてもらえば、それは間違いだ。
If I may be so bold, that's wrong.
Polite but direct criticism
敢えて挑戦することにした。
I decided to take on the challenge anyway.
2.
purposely, intentionally (with nuance of going against the norm)
Choosing to do something different from what is expected or conventional.
敢えて説明するまでもない。
It hardly needs to be said.
With negative - common pattern
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 敢えて言えば (if I dare say; to put it bluntly)
- 敢えて～する (dare to do ~)
- 敢えて～ない (not bother to ~; not go so far as to ~)
USAGE NOTES:
- With affirmative verbs: implies doing something despite obstacles
- With negative verbs: implies not bothering to do something unnecessary
COMPARISON:
- わざわざ emphasizes going out of one's way or making extra effort
- 敢えて emphasizes boldness or going against the grain
- 殊更に emphasizes deliberate emphasis or exaggeration
Related Words
Related:
わざわざ