～さえ
sae
Even
N2JLPT
Formation 接続
V（ます形）ます+さえ
Full formation notes
V（ます形）ます + さえ
N + さえ
Explanation 説明
Highlights an extreme example; さえ～ば instead presents a sufficient condition.
Examples 例文
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忙しくて、資料さえ読めなかった。
I was so busy that I could not even read the documents.
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忙しくて、報告書さえ読めなかった。
I was so busy that I could not even read the report.
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忙しくて、説明書さえ読めなかった。
I was so busy that I could not even read the instructions.
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忙しくて、計画書さえ読めなかった。
I was so busy that I could not even read the written plan.
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忙しくて、申込書さえ読めなかった。
I was so busy that I could not even read the application form.
How related patterns differ 比較
さえ and すら give extreme examples; たりとも excludes even the smallest amount. はおろか denies a more basic case. どころか counters an expectation; どころではない leaves no room to act. のみ and にすぎない limit things with different emphasis.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～さえ | Even | 忙しくて、資料さえ読めなかった。 I was so busy that I could not even read the documents. |
| ～にすぎない | no more than; just; merely; only~ Emphasizes the low level of something in terms of quality or quantity | これは資料の一部にすぎない。 This is merely part of the documents. |
| ～以外の | Other than; except | 会議以外の予定は入っていない。 I have no plans other than the meeting. |
| ～どころか | Far from; let alone | 資料を読むどころか、開く時間さえなかった。 Far from reading the documents, I did not even have time to open it. |
| ～どころではない | Be in no position to; no time for | 急病人が出て、資料を確認するどころではなかった。 Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to check the documents. |
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