例|れいrei[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounexample; instance; illustration; case
   彼かれは例れいを示しめして自分じぶんの理論りろんを説明せつめいした。↗

   He illustrated his theory with examples.
2. nounprecedent
   彼女かのじょはこれまでに例れいのないほどの偉大いだいな科学者かがくしゃだった。↗

   She was as great a scientist as ever lived.
3. nouncustom; habit; practice; usage

• Synonym事例じれいWrittenA concrete case cited for reference, as in 「成功事例」; leans toward written contexts such as reports and research.
• Synonym実例じつれいWrittenA formal word for an example that actually occurred, stressing realness, as in 「実例を挙げる」; 例 can also be hypothetical.
• SynonymケースNeutralA case or situation, as in 「よくあるケース」, with the focus on circumstances; it also means a box or container.
• SynonymＣＡＳＥケースNeutralThe all-caps spelling usually refers to the term computer-aided software engineering; for cases, the katakana 「ケース」 is normally used.
• Related場合ばあいNeutralA situation or set of conditions, as in 「雨の場合」; it centers on circumstances and does not mean an example given to illustrate.
• Related件けんNeutralA matter or item under discussion, as in 「その件」「例の件」; it is the thing itself, not an example cited to explain something.
• Related範はんWrittenA written word for a model to follow, as in 「範を示す」; it stresses being worthy of imitation.
• Related手本てほんNeutralA model for copying when learning to write or draw, or an example worth following, as in 「手本を見せる」.
• Related模範もはんNeutralA model worth learning from, as in 「模範解答」「模範生」, with a laudatory tone; 例 simply gives an example.
• Related見本みほんNeutralA sample put on display, or a typical instance, as in 「商品見本」「悪い見本」; the focus is on physical samples.
• RelatedモデルNeutralA physical model, product version, or prototype used for reference, as in 「モデルケース」; it also means a fashion model.
• Related鑑かがみWrittenA formal word for a person or thing held up as a model, as in 「教師の鑑」, with a praising nuance; 例 is neutral and carries no praise.
• Related法のりWrittenRead 「のり」, an archaic word for a rule, law, or model; it is rarely used on its own in modern Japanese.

Use 「例」 as the default for giving an example, real or hypothetical. For a concrete case, pick 「事例」 (written contexts) or 「ケース」; for one that actually happened, 「実例」. For models worth imitating use 「手本」 or 「模範」, and for samples 「見本」. 「場合」 covers situations/conditions and 「件」 matters under discussion; 「鑑」 and 「範」 are formal words for exemplars, and 「法」 (のり) is archaic.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （レイ）ある事象じしょうの内容ないようを伝達でんたつするために、その範疇はんちゅうに属ぞくする事象じしょうから抽出ちゅうしゅつされた少数しょうすうのもの、または事象じしょうに沿そって示しめされた仮定かてい。事例じれい。具体例ぐたいれい。
2. （レイ）ならわし。慣例かんれい。
3. （レイ）前例ぜんれい。
4. （レイ）いつものこと。通例つうれい。
5. （レイ）話題わだいになっていること。明言めいげんしないが容易よういに想定そうていされること。くだん。