46705
For a long time I have roughly approximated 例えば to 'for example' and thought
of 例え as a word to emphasize ～ても and similar constructions, but in the lyrics
to [Ash like Snow](http://www.kasi-time.com/item-28631.html) by The Brilliant
Green, 例えば seems to be used like 例え.

> 例えば光が消え失せて この地球{ほし}が堕ちても

Is 例えば really being used like 例え, or am I misinterpreting it? Is this poetic
licence? Does this 例えば belong to one of the meanings
[here](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/137788/meaning/m0u/)?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T01:31:14.830
46658
2017-04-20T04:36:35.790
9971
question
word-choice words usage
The difference between 例え and 例えば
> 例えば光が消え失せて この地球｛ほし｝が堕ちても

I visited the site and read the whole lyrics of **Ash like Snow** , and I
found that the 「例えば」 should be written 「例え」in this phrase as a natural
Japanese.

> For a long time I have roughly approximated 例えば to 'for example' and thought
> of 例え as a word to emphasize ～ても and similar constructions

I certify that you correctly understand the meanings of 例えば and 例え, and the
difference between them.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T07:08:06.183
46670
2017-04-18T07:08:06.183
20624
46658
answer
In this case, 「例{たと}えば」 is used to mean 「もしも」. That is to say that it is used
to assume a situation -- " ** _if, for instance,_** ".

Obviously, that is not the most common meaning/usage of 「例えば」, but every good
dictionary will give that definition.

It so happens that the lyrics would still make sense if 「例えば」 were to be
replaced by 「例え」, but I would think that the writer actually meant to use
「例えば」 there. IMHO, therefore, it is not a matter of poetic licence.

> "Does this 例えば belong to one of the meanings here?"

Yes, it is definition #3 there.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T13:46:05.017
46705
2017-04-20T04:36:35.790
2017-04-20T04:36:35.790
7810
46658
answer