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〜さえ

sae

By Nihongo PathUpdated

This form is also taught at JLPT N2, where it carries a different sense or register.

Meaning

Even… (extreme example)

〜さえ picks the least likely case to make a point: 子供でさえ知っている = even a child knows it (so of course adults do). 名前さえ書けない = can't even write his own name (so certainly nothing harder). The sentence is often negative or surprising.

Speech and writing, arguments and complaints. Replaces は / が / を; keeps other particles (にさえ, とさえ, でさえ).

Formation

V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

  • Noun + さえ (replaces は / が / を)
  • Noun + でさえ (extreme example subject)
  • Noun + にさえ / とさえ
  • Verb (ます stem) + さえ + する / しない; Verb (て) + さえ + いない

Visual diagram

Ways to say "even"

  1. 〜も

    also / even (mild): 子供も知っている

  2. 〜まで

    even (extending the range): 子供まで知っている

  3. 〜さえ

    even (the least likely case): 子供でさえ知っている

Natural examples

  1. 子供でさえ知っていることだ。

    こどもでさえしっていることだ。

    Even a child knows that.

    でさえ: even a child (subject).

  2. 忙しくて、昼ご飯を食べる時間さえなかった。

    いそがしくて、ひるごはんをたべるじかんさえなかった。

    I was so busy I didn't even have time to eat lunch.

    時間さえなかった: didn't even have time (object).

  3. 彼は自分の名前さえ書けない。

    かれはじぶんのなまえさえかけない。

    He can't even write his own name.

    名前さえ書けない: an extreme example of inability.

  4. 忙しすぎて、家族と話す時間さえない。

    いそがしすぎて、かぞくとはなすじかんさえない。

    I'm so busy I don't even have time to talk with my family.

    The least likely thing to lack: time for family.

  5. 彼は私の顔を見さえしなかった。

    かれはわたしのかおをみさえしなかった。

    He didn't even look at my face.

    V-ます stem + さえ + しなかった.

Similar grammar and the difference

  • 〜さえ〜ば

    A different pattern: "if only / as long as" (a sufficient condition). Compare side by side

  • 〜まで

    "Even" extending a range; less extreme than さえ.

  • 〜すら (N1)

    Literary equivalent of さえ.

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    子供がさえ知っている。
    ✓
    子供でさえ知っている。/ 子供さえ知っている。
    Why
    さえ replaces が; the subject form is でさえ or bare さえ.
  • ✗
    彼は日本語さえ上手だ。(intended: even Japanese, among many skills)
    ✓
    彼は日本語まで上手だ。
    Why
    さえ is for the least likely case, usually in a negative or surprising context; adding a skill uses まで.
  • ✗
    食べるさえしなかった。
    ✓
    食べさえしなかった。
    Why
    Verbs attach with the ます stem: 食べ + さえ.

Similar to 〜まで and 〜も; さえ stresses "the least likely case". Replaces は/が/を; keeps other particles (にさえ、とさえ). さえ often pairs with a negative (〜ない) or a surprising positive.

JLPT N3 tips

On the exam

  • A negative sentence with an extreme example noun before the blank = さえ.
  • Check the particle: subject → でさえ, object → さえ (を dropped), other particles stay (にさえ).
  • Do not confuse with さえ〜ば (conditional); look for a ば-form later in the sentence.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜さえ mean?

Even… (extreme example). 〜さえ picks the least likely case to make a point: 子供でさえ知っている = even a child knows it (so of course adults do). 名前さえ書けない = can't even write his own name (so certainly nothing harder). The sentence is often negative or surprising.

How do you form 〜さえ?

Noun + さえ (replaces は / が / を) / Noun + でさえ (extreme example subject) / Noun + にさえ / とさえ / Verb (ます stem) + さえ + する / しない; Verb (て) + さえ + いない. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜さえ used?

Speech and writing, arguments and complaints. Replaces は / が / を; keeps other particles (にさえ, とさえ, でさえ).

What is the difference between 〜さえ and 〜さえ〜ば?

A different pattern: "if only / as long as" (a sufficient condition).

What is the difference between 〜さえ and 〜まで?

"Even" extending a range; less extreme than さえ.

What is a common mistake with 〜さえ?

Wrong: 子供がさえ知っている。 Right: 子供でさえ知っている。/ 子供さえ知っている。 さえ replaces が; the subject form is でさえ or bare さえ.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5

病気で、水（　　）飲めなかった。