たまえ

たまえ means do; command to do. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to give a direct command from superior to inferior.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, たまえ is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does たまえ mean?

Use たまえ when you want to give a direct command from superior to inferior.

Natural translations include:

• do; command to do
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form たまえ

Verb stem + たまえ

Examples of the pattern:

• 早く席に着きたまえ。
• 自分の意見を言いたまえ。
• 遠慮せずに質問したまえ。

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is たまえ used?

Use たまえ in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

たまえ example sentences

• 早く席に着きたまえ。 — Take your seat quickly.
• 自分の意見を言いたまえ。 — State your opinion.
• 遠慮せずに質問したまえ。 — Ask questions without hesitation.
• この資料を読んでおきたまえ。 — Read this material in advance.
• 落ち着いて考えたまえ。 — Calm down and think.

After reading each sentence, ask what job たまえ is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of たまえ

The key nuance is give a direct command from superior to inferior.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, たまえ often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with なさい, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

たまえ vs なさい

Both たまえ and なさい can express related ideas, but they are different.

たまえ:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

なさい:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 早く席に着きたまえ。
• Try rewriting the sentence with なさい and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with たまえ

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with なさい just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with たまえ, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is たまえ on the JLPT?

Yes. たまえ is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for たまえ

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs たまえ.
• Write a second sentence with なさい and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for たまえ

To learn たまえ efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare たまえ with なさい and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes たまえ necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n4 nasai — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n5 te kudasai — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n4 na — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn たまえ with Hane

If you want to review たまえ together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons