How to use 〜たまえ (tamae): A Streetwise JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

tie up hostage

人質ひとじち目隠めかくしをしたまえ。
Blindfold the hostage.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

This is that hardcore, top-down command. You don’t ask, you tell. This is what the boss says to you. It’s old-school, sounds cold, and shows you ain’t got a choice in the matter.

Metaphor: This is the “King’s Command.” It’s a verbal “dismissed” or “go.” It establishes who’s in charge. You hear this, you don’t talk back, you just do it.


Grammar Conjugation Guide.

Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.

Conjugation Guide:

Here’s how you give an order.

FormulaExampleTranslation
V (ます-stem) + たまえ べたまえ Eat!
V (ます-stem) + たまえ きたまえGo!

You take the verb stem (the part before masu, like tabe-masu -> tabe) and you just slap たまえ (tamae) on the end. It’s a straight-up command, and it’s cold.


Example sentences

Read the examples to figure out how the grammar works.

This is what you hear right before some shit goes down.

  1. さっさとかねってたまえ。
    Hurry up and bring me the money.
  2. このシマからきたまえ。二度にどもどるな。
    Get off this turf. Don’t ever come back.
  3. 余計よけいなことはしゃべらず、くちじたまえ。
    Don’t run your mouth, just shut it.
  4. まえ忠誠ちゅうせいを、いまここでしめしたまえ。
    Show me your loyalty, right here, right now.
  5. あの裏切うらぎものを、さっさと始末しまつしたまえ。
    Go and… dispose of that traitor already.
  6. このくるま二度にどうごかせないよう、こわしたまえ。
    Break this car so it can never run again.
  7. このかべいちめんに、我々われわれのタグをえがきたまえ。
    Paint our tag over this entire wall.
  8. やつなにたくらんでいるか、かせたまえ。
    Make him spit out what he’s planning.
  9. 証拠しょうこはすべてやしたまえ。
    Burn all the evidence.
  10. おれまえからえたまえ。
    Get the hell out of my sight.

Stay dangerous

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