-조차
Attaches to nouns to indicate that even something basic or totally unexpected is included in a negative situation.
Summary
Equivalent
Even... / Not even...
Also: 마저 · 까지
Example
I was so busy that I didn't even have time to eat.
너무 바빠서 밥 먹을 시간조차 없었어요.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'Not even the most basic [X] is possible.' Mainly used in negative contexts with '-지 않다/못하다/없다'.
- The subtle difference from '마저': '마저' emphasizes the last remaining thing in a series, while '조차' emphasizes that even an expected or basic minimum isn't available.
- '조차' focuses on the unexpectedness of what's being negated — even something basic or expected. '마저' focuses on it being the last remaining thing.
공휴일조차 쉬지 못해요. (= Even basic holidays aren't rest days.) / 공휴일마저 쉬지 못해요. (= Even the last holiday isn't a rest day.)
Patterns
N (Nouns)
현재 (Present) · -조차
Example sentences
I was so busy that I didn't even have time to eat.
너무 바빠서 밥 먹을 시간조차 없었어요.
Can it be true that that person can't even write their own name?
그 사람은 자기 이름조차 못 쓰는 게 아닌가요?
The shock was so great that not even a word came out.
충격이 너무 커서 아무 말조차 나오지 않았다.
Conversation
A: How have you been lately?
요즘 어떻게 지내세요?
B: It's really tough. I can't even sleep properly, so my body is really exhausted.
너무 힘들어요. 잠조차 제대로 못 자고 있어서 몸이 많이 지쳤어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct 'not even the most basic thing' phrase.
물 한 잔 마실 시간도 없었어요.
인사도 못 할 정도로 황망했어요.