Meaning & usage
さえ attaches to a noun or a verb in plain form to mean 'even', highlighting an extreme or unexpected case, as in さよならさえも言わずに. After a verb stem it also appears in the pattern さえすれば, meaning 'you have only to do'.
Example sentences 8
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彼女は私たちにさよならさえも言わずに行ってしまった。
She went away without so much as saying good-bye to us.
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目的さえよければどんな手段をとってもよいわけではない。
The end does not always justify the means.
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彼女の美しさが分かるには、彼女を見さえすればよい。
To appreciate her beauty, you have only to look at her.
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彼はいつ私たちと顔合わせても、あいさつさえしなかった。
He didn't so much as greet us whenever he met us.
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私のチョコレートを食べることを考えさえしないで。
Don't you even think of eating my chocolate!
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彼の先生でさえも彼の言うことを理解しなかった。
Even his teacher didn't understand him.
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彼はその夜一晩中私に話しかけさえしなかった。
He did not so much as speak to me all the evening.
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彼があそこにいてくれさえすればよかったのに。
If only he had been there.