JLPT N1 Grammar
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Even
Category: Emphasis and Degree
The grammar pattern "N (+ 助詞) + すら" is used to emphasize an extreme example, suggesting that something applies even more so to other things. It is a more formal and literary expression than 'sae' and is often used to convey a sense of surprise or astonishment. This pattern is particularly useful when describing situations that are beyond what is expected or normal.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun or pronoun | N (+ 助詞) + すら | 彼はあまりのショックで、自分の名前すら言えなくなってしまった。 |
| Adjective or adverb | 形容詞/副詞 + すら | この問題は専門家で解決できないのだから、素人には無理だ。 |
| Noun or pronoun with particle | N (+ 助詞) + すら | 忙しすぎて、食事をする時間すらない。 |
彼はあまりのショックで、自分の名前すら言えなくなってしまった。
Kare wa arima no shokku de, jibun no namae su ra ienakatta.
He couldn't even say his own name due to the extreme shock.
彼 (kare) は (wa) あまりの (arima no) ショック (shokku) で (de) 自分の (jibun no) 名前 (namae) すら (su ra) 言えなくなってしまった (i enakatta)
この問題は専門家で解決できないのだから、素人には無理だ。
Kono mondai wa senmonka de kaiketsu dekinai no da kara, sutopin ni wa muri da.
Since this problem can't even be solved by experts, it's impossible for amateurs.
この (kono) 問題 (mondai) は (wa) 専門家 (senmonka) で (de) 解決 (kaiketsu) できない (dekinai) のだ (no da) から (kara) 素人 (sutopin) に (ni) は (wa) 無理 (muri) だ (da)
忙しすぎて、食事をする時間すらない。
Isogashisugite, shokuji o suru jikan su ra nai.
I don't even have time to eat due to being too busy.
忙し (isogashi) すぎ (sugite) て (te) 食事 (shokuji) を (o)する (suru) 時間 (jikan) すら (su ra)ない (nai)
This pattern is more formal and literary than 'sae' and is often used to convey a sense of surprise or astonishment. It is particularly useful when describing situations that are beyond what is expected or normal. In formal writing or speech, this pattern can be used to emphasize an extreme example or to suggest that something applies even more so to other things.
This pattern is more formal and literary than 'sae' and 'made', so it's not suitable for casual conversation.
This pattern is used to emphasize an extreme example, while 'dani' is used to describe a minimal state or a mental verb.
This pattern requires the particle 'su ra', which is different from 'ni' or 'de'.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct particle and to emphasize the extreme example. Pay attention to the context and the tone of the sentence to ensure that this pattern is used correctly.
彼はあまりのショックで、自分の名前______言えなくなってしまった。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.