たまえ

JLPT Level: N2
Meanings

Please do!

Order someone to do something

Beg to do something (imperative)

Ask someone to do something with authority

Usage

Verb plain form + たまえ

来る → 来たまえ

見る → 見たまえ

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.
ここへ来たまえ。
ここへきたまえ。

Come here.

話を聴いたまえ。
はなしをきいたまえ。

Listen to what I am saying.

早く戻ったまえ。
はやくもどったまえ。

Return quickly.

私の指示に従い、今すぐ進んだまえ。
わたしのしじにしたがい、いますぐすすんだまえ。

Obey my orders and proceed at once.