What does ～たまえ mean exactly and how do you use it?


I've seen the verb 給え【たまえ】, usually written in hiragana and after the stem of
another verb, ending a phrase. I'm not too sure about its meaning.

I've read that it means "...please" but is that the only meaning? Also is it
used in conversation and if so when/how should I use it?




Not-so-young native speaker here. I personally have _never_ used 「verb + たまえ」
myself or had another person say something to me using that structure.

The only places that I have actually heard it used have been:

  1. **Fiction** (films, dramas, plays, novels, etc.) and

  2. **Religious sermons**

In fiction, **adult male speakers** sometimes use 「verb + たまえ」 as a
**_somewhat friendly imperative_** with younger colleagues. In real life,
however, I have _never_ met such a male boss or co-worker in the companies I
have worked for.

In religious sermons and prayers, 「verb + たまえ」 is quite often used when asking
for blessings from above.




Not-so-young native speaker here. I personally have _never_ used 「verb + たまえ」
myself or had another person say something to me using that structure.

The only places that I have actually heard it used have been:

  1. **Fiction** (films, dramas, plays, novels, etc.) and

  2. **Religious sermons**

In fiction, **adult male speakers** sometimes use 「verb + たまえ」 as a
**_somewhat friendly imperative_** with younger colleagues. In real life,
however, I have _never_ met such a male boss or co-worker in the companies I
have worked for.

In religious sermons and prayers, 「verb + たまえ」 is quite often used when asking
for blessings from above.

