GRAMMAR
〜はおろか
let alone
not to mention
Explanation
NOTE
〜はおろか means let alone — even an obvious or basic thing does not apply, so naturally neither does more.
漢字はおろか、ひらがなも読めない。
Let alone kanji, he cannot even read hiragana.
NOTE
It often carries a negative or surprised tone. The second part is usually emphasized with も or さえ.
外国はおろか、隣の町にも行ったことがない。
Let alone abroad, I have never even been to the next town.
The bigger or harder item comes first, the smaller or easier one second.
NOTE
Attach はおろか directly to a noun. The noun names the larger thing that is excluded first.
STRUCTURE
N辞
はおろか病気で仕事はおろか、食事もできない。
Byouki de shigoto wa oroka, shokuji mo dekinai.
Because of illness, let alone working, I cannot even eat.
彼は英語はおろか、日本語も話せない。
Kare wa eigo wa oroka, nihongo mo hanasenai.
Let alone English, he cannot even speak Japanese.
貯金はおろか、毎月の家賃も払えない。
Chokin wa oroka, maitsuki no yachin mo haraenai.
Let alone savings, I cannot even pay the monthly rent.
Practice exercises
1
漢字はおろか、ひらがなも読めない。
Let alone kanji, he cannot even read hiragana.
Answer
はおろか
2
外国はおろか、隣の町にも行ったことがない。
Let alone abroad, I have never even been to the next town.
Answer
はおろか
3
彼は英語はおろか、日本語も話せない。
Let alone English, he cannot even speak Japanese.
Answer
はおろか
4
企画の全容はおろか、目的すら理解していない様子だった。
He seemed not to understand, let alone the entire scope of the plan, even its purpose.
Answer
はおろか
5
この料理は塩味はおろか、甘味もまったくなく、まずいといったらない。
This dish, let alone salty, has absolutely no sweetness either, it's indescribably bad.
Answer
はおろか
6
挨拶はおろか、目も合わせない不躾極まる態度だった。
Let alone a greeting, he didn't even make eye contact; his attitude was extremely rude.
Answer
はおろか
7
有給休暇はおろか、定時で帰るのも恐縮の至りだ。
Let alone paid leave, even leaving work on time is something one feels extremely apologetic about.
Answer
はおろか
8
借金返済はおろか、生活費すら捻出できない状態だ。
He is in a state where, let alone repaying his debts, he cannot even scrape together living expenses.
Answer
はおろか