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". It is a N1 Japanese grammar point with examples and drills 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.
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.
Practice this grammar
[Noun/Verb stem] + さえ/すら
Which sentence correctly uses "～さえ／すら (sae/sura) - Even; Not even"?