Grammar › N3 · 12 Emphasis, limits & comparison

さえ: even; if only

N3 · 12 Emphasis, limits & comparison

Names an extreme example ("even"), or the only condition needed.

N さえ = even. N さえ〜ば = if only. Replaces は/が/を. Often に/でさえ. Stronger than も.

Examples

自分じぶんの名前なまえさえ書かけません。

I can't even write my own name.

時間じかんさえあれば、行いきたいです。

If only I had time, I'd like to go.