1.
to compare, to liken, to use a metaphor
To describe something by drawing a comparison to something else. Used when making analogies or metaphors.
人生を旅に例える。
To liken life to a journey.
彼女の声は鈴の音に例えられる。
Her voice is compared to the sound of bells.
何に例えたらいいかわからないくらい、美しい景色だった。
It was a scene so beautiful that I couldn't think of anything to compare it to.
CONJUGATION:
- 例えない（否定）
- 例えます（丁寧）
- 例えて（て形）
- 例えた（過去）
KANJI: Also written as 喩える or 譬える, though 例える is most common.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- AをBに例える: to compare A to B, to liken A to B
- 何に例えたらいいか: what could one compare it to
RELATED: The noun form 例え means "simile, metaphor, parable." The conjunction 例え...ても means "even if" and is a separate word.