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
Standard
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 - Analogy, (A) is an outstanding example of something.
Limit: 限定 - Limit, (A) is all that is needed for something.
Addition: 添加 - (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.
(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)'.
Analogical Reasoning: 類推 - Analogy, (A) is an outstanding example of something.
Limit: 限定 - Limit, (A) is all that is needed for something.
Addition: 添加 - (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.
- 上級者の彼でさえ出来ないのに、あなたが出来るわけがないでしょう。Even someone in the advanced class level can't do it, there is no way you can do it.
- 彼女は親にさえ知らせずに彼氏と結婚をした。She got married to her boyfriend, even without telling her parents.
- 彼はストレスのせいで、晩飯を食べることさえ出来なくなった。Due to him being stressed, he couldn't even eat.
- タナカ君は酷くない？彼女を傷つけたのに、謝りさえしなかったらしいよ。Don't you think Tanaka-kun is a jerk? He hurt his girlfriend, but he didn't even apologize.
- そんなの放っておいてさえいたら、すぐ直るよ。Even if you leave it as it is, it will get well quickly.
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を知っているのは凄いと思うよ。日本人でさえ漢字は難しいのに。Tom, I think it is impressive that you know this many kanji. Not to mention that it is difficult even for Japanese people.
同義語
例文
富士山の頂上は夏でさえ寒い。
It is cold on the summit of Mt. Fuji even in summer.
If a particle (like で, から, に, へ) is used with a noun, that particle will precede さえ. If the particle is へ or に, then the use of said particles is optional. This does not apply to は, が or を which are replaced (though をさえ sometimes appears in older literature).
そんな初歩的なことは、子供でさえ知っている。
Even children know things that basic.
子供でさえ is a very common phrase. でさえ is much more often used in this combination than さえ.
小さい戦いさえ、私はしたことがない。
I've never even been in a small fight.
祖父は若い頃、戦時中に遠くまで戦闘に向かった。日本にさえ戦いに行ったことがある。
When my grandfather was young, he fought in far off lands during the war. He even went to Japan.
あのことについてさえ知っているんです。
I even know about that thing.
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オンライン
Thorough breakdown accompanied by example sentences
Maggie Sensei
さえ vs. でさえ
Japanese Stack Exchange
オフライン
Tobira
Page 170
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 312
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 74
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「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
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
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
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！
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