Japanese symbol for “liken”
例える
たとえる
Romaji: tatoeru
to compare (something) to; to liken; to speak figuratively; to use a simile
In Japanese, liken is 例える, read たとえる (tatoeru).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v1, vt to compare (something) to; to liken; to speak figuratively; to use a simile; to use a metaphor
Written forms: 例える、喩える、譬える. Readings: たとえる.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “liken”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 見立てる | みたてる mitateru | to liken (to); to compare (to); to imagine (something) as |
| 寄える | よそえる yosoeru | to compare; to liken |
| 類える | たぐえる tagueru | to compare; to liken |
| 擬する | ぎする gisuru | to compare; to liken |
| 擬す | ぎす gisu | to compare; to liken |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 例えば | たとえば tatoeba | for example; for instance; e.g. |
| 例外 | れいがい reigai | exception |
| 比例 | ひれい hirei | proportion |
| 条例 | じょうれい jourei | regulations; rules |
| 恒例 | こうれい kourei | established practice; custom |
| 例年 | れいねん reinen | average (normal, ordinary) year |
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.