【JLPT N1 Grammar】〜はおろか（~waoroka）

2020年5月19日 2024年9月26日

Explanation：〜はおろか

Meaning
"〜はもちろん・・・も / 〜は当然とうぜんとして・・・も"

Used to emphasize a comparison where the mentioned thing is so extreme or obvious that something else, usually less significant or smaller, is out of the question. It can be translated as "let alone," "not to mention," or "much less" in English. It conveys that the main item is already impossible or difficult, and thus the following item is even more so.

Form
V（dictionary form）+　のはおろか
N + はおろか

Points

Emphasizing Comparison: "〜はおろか" introduces a more extreme or obvious situation, implying that something even less challenging or smaller is also affected.
Negative Context: This expression is often used in negative contexts to highlight how difficult or impossible something is, but it can also be used to emphasize overwhelming situations.
Formal or Written Language: "〜はおろか" is relatively formal and commonly found in written or formal spoken Japanese.

JLPT Level
N1

Note
文の後うしろには「〜ない」や「少ない」などマイナスのことが来ます。

Sample sentenes

トムさんは日本にほんへ留学りゅうがくしたのに、漢字かんじはおろかひらがなすら書かけない。
Tom went to study abroad in Japan, but he can't even write hiragana, let alone kanji.

今いま、私わたしの国くには不景気ふけいきで、正社員せいしゃいんはおろかアルバイトすら見みつからない。
Currently, my country is in a recession, and it's impossible to find even a part-time job, let alone a full-time job.

１泊いっぱく500円えんで借かりた部屋へやは、エアコンはおろか扇風機せんぷうきもなかった。
The room I rented for 500 yen per night didn't have an air conditioner, let alone a fan.

この辺あたりにはモールはおろか、コンビニすらない。
In this area, there isn't even a convenience store, let alone a mall.

私わたしは海外旅行かいがいりょこうはおろか国内旅行こくないりょこうさえもほとんどしたことがない。
I have hardly ever traveled domestically, let alone abroad.

足あしを怪我けがしてしまい、走はしることはおろか、歩あるくことさえできなくなった。
I injured my leg, and I can't even walk, let alone run.

Vocabulary

Japanese		English
正社員	せいしゃいん	full-time employee
扇風機	せんぷうき	electric fan