Signification
A specific and tangible instance used for illustration.
Contexte culturel
In Japanese business, being 'concrete' ({具体的|ぐたいてき}) is often contrasted with being 'idealistic' ({理想|りそう}的). A proposal that lacks {具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい} is often dismissed as '{机上|きじょう}の{空論|くうろん}' (mere desk theory). Japanese textbooks are famous for their use of '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}'. There is a strong cultural belief that understanding starts from the specific and moves to the general, rather than starting with abstract rules. While Japan is high-context, the phrase '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}' is the tool used when that context fails. It is the polite way to say 'I don't understand your vague explanation.' On Japanese Twitter (X), users often demand '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}' to debunk 'fake news' or vague complaints. It is part of the 'sauce' (source) culture.
Use it to sound professional
Instead of just saying 'Tatoeba' (For example), use '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}を{挙|あ}げると...' to sound more sophisticated in business.
Don't forget the 'Na'
It's a common mistake to say 'Gutaiteki rei'. Always include the 'na'!
Signification
A specific and tangible instance used for illustration.
Use it to sound professional
Instead of just saying 'Tatoeba' (For example), use '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}を{挙|あ}げると...' to sound more sophisticated in business.
Don't forget the 'Na'
It's a common mistake to say 'Gutaiteki rei'. Always include the 'na'!
Polite Clarification
If someone is being too vague, asking for a '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}' is a very polite way to say 'I have no idea what you are talking about.'
Pair with 'Ageru'
The most natural verb to use with this phrase is '{挙|あ}げる' (to raise/give).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle to complete the phrase.
{具体|ぐたい}的（ ）{例|れい}を{挙|あ}げてください。
{具体|ぐたい}的 is a {な|な}-adjective, so it needs '{な|な}' to modify the noun '{例|れい}'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a business meeting?
Asking for a specific example of a plan:
This is the most standard and polite way to ask for clarification in a professional setting.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: この{言葉|ことば}の{意味|いみ}がわかりません。 B: じゃあ、（ ）を{出|だ}して{説明|せつめい}しますね。
The noun phrase '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}' is the direct object of the verb '{出|だ}す'.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercices{具体|ぐたい}的（ ）{例|れい}を{挙|あ}げてください。
{具体|ぐたい}的 is a {な|な}-adjective, so it needs '{な|な}' to modify the noun '{例|れい}'.
Asking for a specific example of a plan:
This is the most standard and polite way to ask for clarification in a professional setting.
A: この{言葉|ことば}の{意味|いみ}がわかりません。 B: じゃあ、（ ）を{出|だ}して{説明|せつめい}しますね。
The noun phrase '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}' is the direct object of the verb '{出|だ}す'.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! You can say '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{計画|けいかく}' (specific plan) or '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{数字|すうじ}' (specific numbers).
{具体例|ぐたいれい} is a compound noun and is slightly more formal/concise. Both are very common.
Yes, but it might sound a bit serious. For very casual talk, just use 'tatoeba'.
Use '{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{例|れい}を{挙|あ}げていただけますか？'
It's better to use '{例|れい}'. '{サンプル|さんぷる}' is usually for physical items like a sample of shampoo.
Yes, but it's almost always used with '{的|てき}' to form an adjective in this context.
The opposite is '{抽象|ちゅうしょう}的{な|な}{話|はなし}' (abstract talk).
In a logical sense, yes. It means something that is not abstract.
Only if you are using it as an adverb, like '{具体|ぐたい}的{に|に}{説明|せつめい}する' (explain specifically).
Yes, it frequently appears in reading and listening sections of N3 and N2 levels.
Expressions liées
{具体例|ぐたいれい}
specialized formSpecific example (compound noun)
{実例|じつれい}
similarActual example / Real-life case
{例えば|たとえば}
builds onFor example
{抽象|ちゅうしょう}的
contrastAbstract
{詳細|しょうさい}
similarDetails
