文法の説明

N3 レッスン 5: 20/22

さえEven

使い方・接続

Noun + (で) + さえ
Noun + Particle + さえ
Verb + こと(1) + さえ + (する)
Verb［ます］+ さえ + (する)
Verb［て］+ さえ +(いる)

(1) の

詳細

  • 使用域

    一般

「さえ」の情報

さえ is an adverbial particle in Japanese that is used to place emphasis on something existing in certain state. It is often translated as 'even'. さえ has three primary meanings, which are as follows:

Analogical Reasoning: 類推(るいすい) - Analogy, (A) is an outstanding example of something.

Limit: 限定(げんてい) - Limit, (A) is all that is needed for something.

Addition: 添加(てんか) - (A) compounds something that is pre-existing.

さえ is regularly paired with other particles and is often followed by verbs in negative form, with the overall meaning usually being determined by what part (B) of the sentence is conveying. Let's look at a few examples.

In each of these cases, we can see how さえ is showing that (A) is an extreme example of something.

Fun Fact

は, も, でも, and さえ are all adverbial particles that can be thought of as having a relationship toward, and away from what is 'expected' in any given situation. This relationship can be seen here:

(A) は - (A) is completely expected, there is nothing unusual.

(A) も - (A) will be included as part of what is expected, but can be unusual.

(A) でも - (A) may or may not be included as part of what is expected, and can be unusual.

(A) さえ - (A) is separated completely from what is expected, and is unusual.

Due to this unexpected and unusual situation that さえ always presents, it is regularly translated as 'let alone (A)', or 'not to mention (A)'.

  • このレベルはプロでさえ難(むずか)しいというのに、よくできたね。
    I am impressed you were able to do this, let alone that it is difficult even for professionals.
  • トムがこんなに漢字(かんじ)を知(し)っているのは凄(すご)いと思(おも)うよ。日本人(にほんじん)でさえ漢字(かんじ)は難(むずか)しいのに。
    Tom, I think it is impressive that you know this many kanji. Not to mention that it is difficult even for Japanese people.

例文

--:--

    富士山(ふじさん)の頂上(ちょうじょう)は夏(なつ)でさえ寒(さむ)い。

    It is cold on the summit of Mt. Fuji even in summer.

    そんな初歩的(しょほてき)なことは、子供(こども)でさえ知(し)っている。

    Even children know things that basic.

    小(ちい)さい戦(たたか)いさえ、私(わたし)はしたことがない。

    I've never even been in a small fight.

    あのことについてさえ知(し)っているんです。

    I even know about that thing.

    家族(かぞく)さえも応援(おうえん)してくれないんです。

    Even my family doesn't support me.

  • ご登録いただくと、より多くの例文にアクセスできます。

    プレミアムユーザーは全文法ポイントに含まれる12個の例文にアクセスすることできます。

自作の例文

自分なりの勉強をする！

文章を追加し、Bunproの文章と一緒に勉強する。

  • オンライン

      「さえ」に関するオンラインリソースはまだ登録されていません。

      。リソースは常に更新されるので、新しいリソースが追加されているか確認しに来てください！

    • オフライン

        「さえ」に関するオフラインリソースはまだ登録されていません。

        。リソースは常に更新されるので、新しいリソースが追加されているか確認しに来てください！

      • リソースを追跡する！

        Bunproでは、あなたがアクセスしたすべてのリソースを追跡し、オフラインでの追跡に役立つ教科書のブックマークを提供します。

      「さえ」に関する文法ディスカッション

      最近の返信 (合計6件)

      • Daru

        Daru

        さえ puts greater emphasis. Think of it like how かもしれない and はずだ both express certainty, but to different degrees. Hope this helps!

      • ollieisamuppet

        ollieisamuppet

        Maybe im being stupid here, but I dont understand how im supposed to figure out when で is needed and when it isnt needed after a noun. For example, 子供でさえ vs 価値さえ? I dont get why they are treated differently when theyre both nouns. Is it to do with the first being a living thing?

        Thanks

      • NickavGnaro

        NickavGnaro

        If you’re going to use さえ, then you have to use でさえ if it would have been appropriate to use でも. Basically, add the で if the phrase requires a copula.

        子供でさえ = 子供でも = even if (he/she/it) is a child
        (notice the copular “to be” statement creeping in there - that’s what the で is responsible for in this case).

      「さえ」について質問がありますか？ 話し合ったり、質問をしてみんなで学びましょう！

      ディスカッションに参加する