Explanation

Used to express intentionally doing something even though it may be difficult or unnecessary. It adds emphasis to the action being taken.

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Key Formation

• あえて + Verb

  あえて断る (Intentionally refuse)

• あえて + Noun + を + Verb

  あえて困難を受け入れる (Intentionally accept difficulties)

Example Sentences

• 彼はあえてその質問に答えなかった。

  He intentionally didn't answer that question.

  かれはあえてそのしつもんにこたえなかった。

  Kare wa aete sono shitsumon ni kotaenakatta.

  Pronunciation

• 彼女はあえて熱いコーヒーを飲んだ。

  She intentionally drank hot coffee.

  かのじょはあえてあついこーひーをのんだ。

  Kanojo wa aete atsui kōhī o nonda.

  Pronunciation

• あえて助けを求めることをしなかった。

  I didn't dare to ask for help.

  あえてたすけをもとめることをしなかった。

  Aete tasuke o motomeru koto o shinakatta.

  Pronunciation

• 彼はあえて危険を冒した。

  He deliberately risked danger.

  かれはあえてきけんをおかした。

  Kare wa aete kiken o okashita.

  Pronunciation

• あえて言わなくてもわかることだ。

  It's something that is understood without being explicitly stated.

  あえていわなくてもわかることだ。

  Aete iwanakute mo wakaru koto da.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• 無理に (muri ni) - (N2 - N1)
  - Both あえて (aete) and 無理に (muri ni) express doing something despite difficulties or against one's will. However, あえて (aete) focuses more on intentionally and boldly taking action, while 無理に (muri ni) emphasizes doing something forcefully or against one's natural inclination.
• 敢えて (aete) - (N1)
  - 敢えて (aete) is essentially the same as あえて (aete) and carries the same meaning of intentionally doing something. 敢えて (aete) is an alternative form of あえて (aete) and is more commonly used in written Japanese.
• 意図的に (ito teki ni) - (N1)
  - 意図的に (ito teki ni) means 'intentionally' or 'deliberately', but it is used more generally to express intentional actions, while あえて (aete) typically implies daring or courage in the face of difficulty.
• 故意に (koii ni) - (N1)
  - 故意に (koii ni) means 'intentionally' or 'on purpose', but it is used more commonly in legal or negative contexts, whereas あえて (aete) can be used in various situations.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 質問 (しつもん)questionPronunciation
• * 助け (たすけ)help/aidPronunciation
• * 求める (もとめる)to seekPronunciation
• * 危険 (きけん)dangerPronunciation
• * 冒す (おかす)to riskPronunciation
• * 言う (いう)to sayPronunciation
• * 寒い (さむい)coldPronunciation
• * 水 (みず)waterPronunciation
• * 酒 (さけ)alcohol/sakePronunciation

Quiz

Which of the following is the correct usage of あえて?

• 彼はあえてその質問に答えなかった。
• 彼女はあえて寒い水を飲んだ。
• あえてお酒を飲まない。