例
例 — Example
example, custom, usage, precedent
On’yomiレイ (rei)
Kun’yomiたとえる (tatoeru)
Stroke order (8 strokes)
Watch the strokes draw themselves in the correct order — numbers mark where each stroke starts. Diagram from KanjiVG (CC BY-SA).
Common words using 例
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 比例 | ひれい hirei | proportion; proportional representation section (of an election) |
| 例えば | たとえば tatoeba | for example; for instance; e.g. |
| 例 | れい rei | example; instance; illustration |
| 異例 | いれい irei | exceptional; unusual; extraordinary |
| 特例 | とくれい tokurei | special case; exception |
| 例外 | れいがい reigai | exception |
Study notes
例 is a JLPT N3 kanji written with 8 strokes. It is taught in Japanese elementary school (grade 4), so native children learn it early — a good sign it appears everywhere. Ranked #399 of the 2,500 most frequent kanji in newspapers. On’yomi (音読み) are Chinese-derived readings mostly used in compound words; kun’yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, with any highlighted part written in hiragana after the kanji (okurigana).
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