InitialJ
N1evenextreme caseN1

～さえ／すら (sae/sura) - Even; Not even

[Noun/Verb stem] + さえ/すら

Quick answer

[Noun/Verb stem] + さえ/すら means "Even; Not even; As extreme as". As a N1 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

Even; Not even; As extreme as

Explanation

Indicates an extreme case. さえ suggests 'even', often implying unexpectedness. すら is more literary/emphatic.

Examples

忙しすぎて、食事をとる時間すらありませんでした。
いそがしすぎて、しょくじをとるじかんすらありませんでした。
I was so busy I didn't even have time to eat.
時—Time間—Gap
その問題は専門家でさえ解けませんでした。
そのもんだいはせんもんかでさえとけませんでした。
Even experts couldn't solve that problem.
問—Counter for questions題—Topic専—Specialty門—Gate家—House

Practice this grammar

[Noun/Verb stem] + さえ/すら

Which sentence correctly uses "～さえ／すら (sae/sura) - Even; Not even"?

Vocabulary from these examples

門GateN2専SpecialtyN2問Counter for questions題Topic家House門Door間Gap時Time

Last updated Jul 4, 2026