たまえ
Meanings
- Please do!
- Order someone to do something
- Beg to do something (imperative)
- Ask someone to do something with authority
About this pattern
Explanation
たまえ is a very old-fashioned, commanding imperative used mainly by superiors toward subordinates. It has a strong, authoritative nuance and sounds literary or masculine. In modern everyday Japanese, you would normally use softer imperatives like 〜てください, 〜てくれ, or 〜なさい. たまえ can appear in historical novels, formal or martial contexts, or in deliberate stylistic effect. It often follows the dictionary form of a verb (for classical forms, e.g., 来たまえ for 来る). It can also appear in phrases that direct someone to perform a task or action with a sense of “you must do this.” When used, it conveys a clear command rather than a request.
Learn in context
Example sentences
Come here.
Listen to what I am saying.
Return quickly.
Obey my orders and proceed at once.
Keep studying
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