Japanese word

あえて

Pronunciation

Romajiaete

Meaning

  • adverbdare to

Example

私はあえて本当のことを言います。watashi wa a e te hon tō no ko to o i i ma su

I dare to tell the truth.

Illustration for あえて (dare to)

More examples

みんなが黙っていたので、私はあえて質問します。mi n na ga dama tte i ta no de watashi wa a e te shitsu mon shi ma su

Since everyone was silent, I dare to ask a question.

Core concept

Marks a deliberate choice to do something despite difficulty, hesitation, or the usual reason to avoid it.

Common phrases

  • あえて言うa e te i u

    dare to say

  • あえて聞くa e te ki ku

    dare to ask

Similar words

わざとwazato: Does something on purpose, sometimes to bring about a particular result.
わざわざwazawaza: Takes extra time or trouble to carry out an action that could be omitted.

Definition in Japanese

困難や不都合を承知のうえで、意図的にある行動をするさま。kon nan ya fu tsu gō o shō chi no u e de i to teki ni a ru kō dō o su ru sa ma

Word origin

The adverb あえて (aete) is generally traced to classical 敢ふ (afu, "to endure or venture") through its conjunctive form 敢へて (ahete), which later became あえて.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English "dare to," あえて (aete) often marks a deliberate choice rather than strong fear, so it can describe a calm decision to state an unwelcome truth.

Other meanings

  • deliberatelyadverb

Word lists with this word