〜さえ / 〜でさえ
sae / de sae
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
even (an extreme example implying all others)
〜さえ presents an extreme example: if even X is the case, everything else follows. 専門家でさえ解けない (even experts cannot solve it, so ordinary people certainly cannot). 立っていることさえできない (cannot even stand). でさえ is used after nouns that are subjects; にさえ, とさえ after other particles. A separate pattern, 〜さえ〜ば (if only), is N3.
Both speech and writing. Common in emphatic statements, complaints, and descriptions of extreme states. すら is the more written equivalent.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + さえ / でさえ (subject) / にさえ / とさえVerb + こと + さえ + できないVerb (ます-stem) + さえ + する / しないRelated: 〜さえ〜ば (if only), 〜すら (written)
Visual diagram
〜も
also / even (mild)
〜まで
even (going as far as)
〜さえ / 〜でさえ
even (extreme, implying the rest)
〜すら
even (written, literary)
〜も
also / even (mild)
〜まで
even (going as far as)
〜さえ / 〜でさえ
even (extreme, implying the rest)
〜すら
even (written, literary)
Natural examples
疲れて、立っていることさえできなかった。
つかれて、たっていることさえできなかった。
I was so tired I could not even stand.
An extreme inability: cannot even stand.
専門家でさえ、この問題は解けない。
せんもんかでさえ、このもんだいはとけない。
Even experts cannot solve this problem.
でさえ with a subject: even experts.
忙しくて、食事をする時間さえない。
いそがしくて、しょくじをするじかんさえない。
I am so busy I don't even have time to eat.
An extreme lack: not even time to eat.
子供でさえ知っていることを、彼は知らなかった。
こどもでさえしっていることを、かれはしらなかった。
He did not know something that even a child knows.
でさえ: the extreme case makes his ignorance striking.
忙しくて、家族に電話をすることさえ忘れていた。
いそがしくて、かぞくにでんわをすることさえわすれていた。
I was so busy that I even forgot to call my family.
こと + さえ before a verb.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜すら
Same meaning, written and literary.
"Even (going so far as)": stresses the extent of an action. Compare side by side
〜も
Mild 'even / also'.
"The very one": emphasis, not an extreme example. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 専門家さえが解けない。
- ✓
- 専門家でさえ解けない。/ 専門家さえ解けない。
- Why
- Do not add が after さえ; use でさえ for a subject.
- ✗
- 水さえ飲めば治る。(meaning 'even water')
- ✓
- 水を飲みさえすれば治る。(if only) / 水さえ飲めない (cannot even drink water)
- Why
- 〜さえ〜ば is the 'if only' pattern; for 'even', use さえ + negative or extreme statement.
- ✗
- 彼はさえ来なかった。
- ✓
- 彼さえ来なかった。
- Why
- さえ attaches directly to the noun.
でさえ is common after human subjects. The implication is always 'so everything else follows'. 〜さえ〜ば (if only) is a separate pattern; do not mix them.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence gives an extreme case followed by a negative or surprising predicate, choose さえ / でさえ.
- After a subject noun, でさえ is safest.
- Distractors include こそ, まで, だけ. Ask: is X an extreme example (さえ) or the very one (こそ)?
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜さえ / 〜でさえ mean?
even (an extreme example implying all others). 〜さえ presents an extreme example: if even X is the case, everything else follows. 専門家でさえ解けない (even experts cannot solve it, so ordinary people certainly cannot). 立っていることさえできない (cannot even stand). でさえ is used after nouns that are subjects; にさえ, とさえ after other particles. A separate pattern, 〜さえ〜ば (if only), is N3.
How do you form 〜さえ / 〜でさえ?
Noun + さえ / でさえ (subject) / にさえ / とさえ / Verb + こと + さえ + できない / Verb (ます-stem) + さえ + する / しない / Related: 〜さえ〜ば (if only), 〜すら (written). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜さえ / 〜でさえ used?
Both speech and writing. Common in emphatic statements, complaints, and descriptions of extreme states. すら is the more written equivalent.
What is the difference between 〜さえ / 〜でさえ and 〜すら?
Same meaning, written and literary.
What is the difference between 〜さえ / 〜でさえ and 〜まで?
"Even (going so far as)": stresses the extent of an action.
What is a common mistake with 〜さえ / 〜でさえ?
Wrong: 専門家さえが解けない。 Right: 専門家でさえ解けない。/ 専門家さえ解けない。 Do not add が after さえ; use でさえ for a subject.
Quick check
この問題は難しくて、先生（ ）解けなかった。