さえ
Even
Structure
Noun + Particle + さえ
Verb + こと(1) + さえ + (する)
Verb［stem］+ さえ + (する)
Verb［て］+ さえ +(いる)
(1) の
Explanation
The adverbial particle さえ is used in Japanese to highlight something as an example, often to express surprise. Its most common English translation is 'even'. The function of さえ can be broken down into three main uses:
Highlighting an Extreme: 類推 - (A) is presented as a surprising or extreme case.
Setting a Condition: 限定 - If only (A) is met, a certain result will follow.
Adding On: 添加 - (A) is an additional factor on top of an existing situation.
さえ frequently appears with other particles and is commonly used with verbs in their negative form. The exact nuance often depends on the context provided by the rest of the sentence (B). Let's examine some examples.
- 先生でさえ分からないのに、学生が分かるはずがないでしょう。If even the teacher doesn't know, there's no way a student would understand.
- 彼は友達にさえさよならを言わずに、引っ越してしまった。He moved away without even saying goodbye to his friends.
- 疲れていて、立つことさえできなかった。I was so tired, I couldn't even stand up.
- 山田さんって、ひどくない？その仕事が難しいと聞いて、やりさえしなかったらしいよ。Isn't Yamada-san terrible? When he heard the job was difficult, I heard he didn't even try.
- 静かにしてさえいれば、ここにいてもいいですよ。As long as you're quiet, it's okay for you to be here.
In all of these sentences, さえ serves to emphasize that item (A) is a particularly noteworthy or unexpected example.
Fun Fact
The particles は, も, でも, and さえ are all adverbial particles that relate to how 'expected' something is within a given context. You can think of their relationship like this:
(A) は - (A) is the standard topic, entirely within expectations.
(A) も - (A) is also included, fitting within general expectations.
(A) でも - (A) is one possibility among others, and may be somewhat unexpected.
(A) さえ - (A) is an extreme case that goes far beyond what is expected.
Because さえ highlights such an unexpected or extreme situation, it can sometimes be translated into English as 'let alone (A)' or 'not to mention (A)'.
- この問題は専門家でさえ難しいというのに、よく解けたね。You managed to solve it, not to mention this is a problem that's difficult even for an expert.
- ケンジ君の日本語は本当に上手だと思うよ。敬語は日本人でさえ難しいのに。Kenji, I think your Japanese is really excellent. Not to mention that honorific language is difficult even for native Japanese speakers.
Examples
砂漠は夜でさえ暑い。
The desert is hot even at night.
この問題は難しすぎて、先生でさえ解けなかった。
This problem was so difficult that even the teacher couldn't solve it.
一日中勉強したのに、漢字を一つさえ覚えられなかった。
I studied all day, but couldn't memorize even a single kanji.
あんな正直な人が、親友にさえ嘘をつくなんて信じられない。
I can't believe that such an honest person would even lie to their best friend.
忙しすぎて、食事をとる時間さえもない。
I'm so busy I don't even have time to eat.
この商品はインターネットでさえ買える。
You can even buy this product online.
彼は挨拶さえしないで部屋に入ってきた。
He came into the room without even saying hello.
疲れすぎて、指一本さえ動かせないほどだ。
I'm so tired I can't even move a single finger.
彼は自分の島さえ持っているほどお金持ちだ。
He's so rich that he even owns his own island.
あれは食べる気さえしない料理だった。
That was a dish I didn't even feel like eating.
彼は嘘をつくだけでなく、人のものを盗みさえした。
He not only lies, but he even steals things from people.
彼は世界中を旅した。南極へさえ行ったことがあるそうだ。
He has traveled all over the world. I hear he's even been to Antarctica.