Japanese

える

たとえる
Meaning: to compare; to liken
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 例える 例えない
Polite 例えます 例えません
Past 例えた 例えなかった
Polite + Past 例えました 例えませんでした
Te-form 例えて 例えなくて
Potential 例えられる 例えられない
Passive 例えられる 例えられない
Causative 例えさせる 例えさせない
Imperative 例えろ 例えるな

Handwriting

例
え
る

Example sentences

To compare life to a journey.
歴史家は、その独裁者の振る舞いを夏癸殷辛に例えて厳しく批判した。
Historians strictly criticized the dictator's behavior, comparing him to the notorious ancient tyrants.

Usage Notes

Used when making a comparison or analogy to explain something.

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