How to say "example" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 例れいnounThe broadest word for an example: a representative instance, case, or illustration of something. When English 'example' means a typical instance cited to make a point, this is the usual choice.
- 事例じれいno-adjectiveAn example in the sense of a concrete, actual case — an instance that really occurred, cited as a precedent or case study in reports, business, or legal writing.
- nounA loanword for a sample or specimen: a concrete item representing a product, material, or piece of work. For the abstract 'example' of a general statement, it is not the word you want.
- 例えたとえnounAn example in the sense of an analogy: something explained by likening it to something else. For a plain representative instance it is only marginal; 例 is the general word there.
- 例題れいだいnounAn example in the textbook sense: a worked example or exercise set for the reader, found in textbooks and workbooks. Outside teaching materials it is not a way to say 'example'.
Use 例 for a general example or instance, 事例 for a concrete actual case or precedent, 「サンプル」 for a physical sample, 「例え」 for an analogy, and 例題 for a worked exercise in a textbook.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 例れいexample
- 事例じれいexample
- サンプルsample
- 例えたとえexample
- 例題れいだいexample
- 実例じつれいexample
- 模範もはんexemplar
- 範はんexample
- 用例ようれいexample
- 一例いちれいexample
- 引き合いひきあいreference
- 示ししめしlesson
- 例証れいしょうexemplification
- 規範きはんmodel
- 例ためしprecedent
- エグザンプルexample
- 範例はんれいexample
- 亀鑑きかんpattern
- 例解れいかいillustration
- 手本てほんmodel
- 見せしめみせしめ(making a) lesson (of)
- お手本おてほんmodel
- 見本みほんmodel
- 手鑑てかがみmodel
- 標本ひょうほん(classic) example
- 模様もようmodel
- 顔かおrepresentative
See also
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