GRAMMAR
〜すら
even
if only
Explanation
NOTE
〜すら means even — it highlights an extreme example to imply that everything else is also true.
疲れて、名前すら書けなかった。
I was so tired I couldn't even write my name.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. The chosen example is surprising — if even that holds, the rest surely does.
専門家すらこの問題が解けない。
Even experts cannot solve this problem.
すら often appears with a negative or surprising statement to stress the extreme.
NOTE
Attach すら directly to a noun. With a subject or object, ですら or をすら may be used.
STRUCTURE
N辞
すら水すら飲む時間がなかった。
Mizu sura nomu jikan ga nakatta.
I didn't have time to even drink water.
子供ですらその答えを知っている。
Kodomo de sura sono kotae o shitte iru.
Even a child knows that answer.
彼は自分の住所すら覚えていない。
Kare wa jibun no juusho sura oboete inai.
He doesn't even remember his own address.
今日は疲れて、一歩すら歩けません。
Kyou wa tsukarete, ippo sura arukemasen.
I'm so tired today that I can't even walk a single step.
その有名な俳優は、名前すら知られていません。
Sono yuumei na haiyuu wa, namae sura shirarete imasen.
Even the name of that famous actor is not known.
忙しすぎて、水すら飲む時間がありません。
Isogashisugite, mizu sura nomu jikan ga arimasen.
I'm so busy that I don't even have time to drink water.
Practice exercises
1
疲れて、名前すら書けなかった。
I was so tired I couldn't even write my name.
Answer
すら
2
専門家すらこの問題が解けない。
Even experts cannot solve this problem.
Answer
すら
3
彼は水すら飲む時間がなかった。
He didn't have time to even drink water.
Answer
すら
4
病気で、水すら飲めないといったらない状態だった。
Due to illness, I was in a state where I couldn't even drink water; it was indescribable.
Answer
すら
5
彼の計画は、基礎知識すら欠けている状態で、危険極まりない。
His plan lacked even basic knowledge, a state that was extremely dangerous.
Answer
すら
6
困難な状況で、一言すら発せないのは不甲斐無さの至りだ。
In such a difficult situation, being unable to utter even a single word is the utmost disgrace.
Answer
すら
7
信頼関係が崩壊し、顔すら見たくない状態だ。
The relationship of trust collapsed, and it's a state where I don't even want to see their face.
Answer
すら
8
長年の友人なのに、助けを求める声すら出せなかった。
Even though we've been friends for many years, I couldn't even utter a cry for help.
Answer
すら