Meaning and Usage
"サンプル" is a loanword from English meaning "sample." It is commonly used in everyday conversation and business contexts to refer to a physical example or specimen of a product or data.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "サンプル" when talking about free product samples given to customers, examples shown before ordering, or data samples used in research and statistics.
Collocations and Patterns
- サンプルを配る: to distribute samples, often free promotional items.
- サンプルを見る: to look at or examine a sample before making a decision.
- サンプルとして使う: to use something as a sample, especially in data or research.
Register and Nuance
"サンプル" is neutral and widely understood. It is appropriate in both casual and formal situations. Because it is a loanword, it is often written in katakana.
Common Learner Mistake
Some learners confuse "サンプル" with "例" (れい), which means "example" in a more abstract sense. Remember, "サンプル" usually refers to a tangible or concrete specimen, while "例" is more about illustrative examples or cases.