～さえ
Even this surprising or minimal example
You’ll be able to emphasize an extreme example to show that a statement applies more broadly.
このパズルは、小さな子供でさえ解けます。
kono pazuru wa, chiisana kodomo de sae tokemasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
Even a small child can solve this puzzle.
Even an extreme or simple example
～さえ means “even.” It highlights a surprising, extreme, or minimal example to show that the statement is true more broadly.
忙しくて、水を飲む時間さえありませんでした。
isogashikute, mizu o nomu jikan sae arimasen deshita.
I was so busy that I did not even have time to drink water.
先生でさえ、この漢字は読めませんでした。
sensei de sae, kono kanji wa yomemasen deshita.
Even the teacher could not read this kanji.
Replace a particle or add to it
With nouns, さえ can replace は, が, or を, or follow particles such as で and に. With ある or いる, noun + さえあれば／いれば expresses a minimum condition: “as long as there is ...,” as in 時間さえあれば.
水さえあれば、生きていけます。
mizu sae areba, ikite ikemasu.
As long as there is water, you can survive.
引っ越したばかりで、近所のスーパーの場所さえまだわからない。
hikkoshita bakari de, kinjo no suupaa no basho sae mada wakaranai.
I just moved, so I don’t even know where the nearest supermarket is yet.
パスポートさえあれば、ほかの書類はいりません。
pasupooto sae areba, hoka no shorui wa irimasen.
As long as you have your passport, you don’t need any other documents.
腰が痛くて、靴下をはくことさえ大変です。
koshi ga itakute, kutsushita o haku koto sae taihen desu.
My lower back hurts so much that even putting on socks is hard.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.