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

tie up hostage

人質ひとじちの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 食たべたまえ Eat!
V (ます-stem) + たまえ 行いきたまえ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. さっさと金かねを持もって来きたまえ。
    Hurry up and bring me the money.
  2. このシマから出でて行いきたまえ。二度にどと戻もどるな。
    Get off this turf. Don’t ever come back.
  3. 余計よけいなことは喋しゃべらず、口くちを閉とじたまえ。
    Don’t run your mouth, just shut it.
  4. お前まえの忠誠ちゅうせいを、今いまここで示しめしたまえ。
    Show me your loyalty, right here, right now.
  5. あの裏切うらぎり者ものを、さっさと始末しまつしたまえ。
    Go and… dispose of that traitor already.
  6. この車くるまを二度にどと動うごかせないよう、壊こわしたまえ。
    Break this car so it can never run again.
  7. この壁かべ一いち面めんに、我々われわれのタグを描えがきたまえ。
    Paint our tag over this entire wall.
  8. 奴やつが何なにを企たくらんでいるか、吐はかせたまえ。
    Make him spit out what he’s planning.
  9. 証拠しょうこはすべて燃もやしたまえ。
    Burn all the evidence.
  10. 俺おれの目めの前まえから消きえたまえ。
    Get the hell out of my sight.

Stay dangerous

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