さえEven

Structure

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

Details

About さえ

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.

Synonyms

Examples

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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.

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さえ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

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).