Japanese word

たとえ

Pronunciation

Romajitatoe

Meaning

  • adverbeven if

Example

たとえ雨が降っても、行きます。ta to e ame ga fu tte mo i ki ma su

I will go even if it rains.

Illustration for たとえ (even if)

More examples

たとえ道に迷っても、電話してください。ta to e michi ni mayo tte mo den wa shi te ku da sa i

Even if you get lost, please call me.

Core concept

Sets aside a hypothetical obstacle and keeps the main outcome unchanged.

Common phrases

  • たとえ忙しくてもta to e isoga shi ku te mo

    even if busy

  • たとえ一人でもta to e hito ri de mo

    even if alone

  • たとえ失敗してもta to e ship pai shi te mo

    even if I fail

Similar words

もしもmoshimo: Introduces a condition that may or may not occur.
仮にkarini: Sets up an imagined condition to examine its result.
万一manichi: Introduces a possibility that is very unlikely to occur.

Definition in Japanese

ある条件を認めたとしても、結論や行動を変えない意を表す語。a ru jō ken o mito me ta to shi te mo ketsu ron ya kō dō o ka e na i i o arawa su go

Word origin

The Japanese adverb たとえ (tatoe, "even if") has the kanji spellings 仮令 (tatoe, "even if") and 縦令 (tatoe, "even if"), while its older word formation is not certain.

Usage tips

  • The sound たとえ (tatoe) can also mean an example when written 例え (tatoe), so the following ても (temo) helps identify the concessive meaning.

Other meanings

  • no matter whatadverb

Word lists with this word