〜すら
sura
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
even …
Nすら picks out an extreme example to imply that everything else is even more so: 自分の名前すら書けない "cannot even write his own name (let alone anything else)". It is the formal, written counterpart of さえ. ですら is used for the subject (専門家ですら).
Mostly 書き言葉 and formal speech: essays, news, arguments. In conversation さえ or も is more usual. Usually followed by a negative or a surprising fact.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + すら + (negative / surprising fact)Noun + ですら (subject)Noun + particle + すら (に + すら, と + すら)Vること + すら
Visual diagram
も
neutral "even", everyday
さえ
extreme example, everyday to formal
すら
extreme example, formal written
だに
extreme example, highly literary, fixed phrases
も
neutral "even", everyday
さえ
extreme example, everyday to formal
すら
extreme example, formal written
だに
extreme example, highly literary, fixed phrases
Natural examples
疲れすぎて、立ち上がることすらできなかった。
つかれすぎて、たちあがることすらできなかった。
I was so exhausted that I could not even stand up.
Vること + すら + negative: could not even stand.
専門家ですら、この問題の答えを知らない。
せんもんかですら、このもんだいのこたえをしらない。
Even experts do not know the answer to this problem.
ですら marks the subject: even experts.
彼は自分の名前すら書けなかった。
かれはじぶんのなまえすらかけなかった。
He could not even write his own name.
The extreme example implies the rest: cannot write even his own name.
あまりの忙しさに、昼食を取る時間すらなかった。
あまりのいそがしさに、ちゅうしょくをとるじかんすらなかった。
I was so busy that I did not even have time for lunch.
A minimal thing (lunch) as the extreme example.
彼は家族にすら本当のことを話していなかった。
かれはかぞくにすらほんとうのことをはなしていなかった。
He had not told the truth even to his family.
Particle に + すら.
Similar grammar and the difference
Same meaning, everyday register; also used in the conditional さえ〜ば, which すら cannot do. Compare side by side
More literary; limited to fixed phrases like 想像するだに, 微動だにしない. Compare side by side
"Let alone": 漢字はおろかひらがなも. Names the excluded higher item explicitly. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- お金すらあれば、買える。
- ✓
- お金さえあれば、買える。
- Why
- The conditional "if only" takes さえ〜ば; すら has no conditional use.
- ✗
- 専門家すらが知らない。
- ✓
- 専門家ですら知らない。
- Why
- For the subject use ですら (or bare すら), not すらが.
- ✗
- 彼は毎日勉強すらしている。
- ✓
- 彼は毎日勉強までしている。
- Why
- すら implies a negative or surprising limit; for "goes as far as doing" use まで.
Followed by a negative in most cases: すら〜ない. ですら sounds strongest for subjects: 子供ですら知っている. Combines with particles: にすら, とすら, ですら (but not がすら / をすら).
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence gives a minimal example plus a negative, すら and さえ both fit in meaning; choose すら when the register is formal or when さえ is not offered.
- さえ〜ば (conditional) is a trap: if ば follows, only さえ works.
- Distractor はおろか needs a second, bigger item after it (はおろか〜も).
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜すら mean?
even …. Nすら picks out an extreme example to imply that everything else is even more so: 自分の名前すら書けない "cannot even write his own name (let alone anything else)". It is the formal, written counterpart of さえ. ですら is used for the subject (専門家ですら).
How do you form 〜すら?
Noun + すら + (negative / surprising fact) / Noun + ですら (subject) / Noun + particle + すら (に + すら, と + すら) / Vること + すら. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜すら used?
Mostly 書き言葉 and formal speech: essays, news, arguments. In conversation さえ or も is more usual. Usually followed by a negative or a surprising fact.
What is the difference between 〜すら and 〜さえ / 〜でさえ?
Same meaning, everyday register; also used in the conditional さえ〜ば, which すら cannot do.
What is the difference between 〜すら and 〜だに?
More literary; limited to fixed phrases like 想像するだに, 微動だにしない.
What is a common mistake with 〜すら?
Wrong: お金すらあれば、買える。 Right: お金さえあれば、買える。 The conditional "if only" takes さえ〜ば; すら has no conditional use.
Quick check
熱が高くて、水を飲むこと（ ）できなかった。