はおろか (haoroka)

Meaning & usage

はおろか means let alone or not to mention, used when a more difficult or extreme case is out of the question and an easier case also fails in a negative sentence. It follows a noun as in ギターはおろか, or a plain form verb nominalized with ことはおろか or のはおろか as in 書くことはおろか. The second clause typically ends negatively and contains も, さえ, or すら to deny even the lesser item, with the greater item placed first.

Example sentences 6

1. 私わたしはバイオリンはおろかギターも弾ひけない。

   I can't play the guitar, much less the violin.

2. 僕はイタリア語を書くのはおろか読めもしない。

   I can't even read Italian, let alone write it.

3. 弟は漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ書けない。

   Let alone kanji, my younger brother can't even write hiragana.

4. 私は貯金はおろか、生活費すら足りない。

   Let alone having savings, I don't even have enough for living expenses.

5. 母は旅行はおろか、外出もできない。

   Let alone traveling, my mother can't even go out.

6. 彼は料理を作るのはおろか、包丁も持てない。

   Let alone cooking a meal, he can't even hold a kitchen knife.