tags

こそ

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Emphatic particle corresponding to precisely, when used to differentiate a point.

今度こそ優勝したい This time for sure, I want to win.

この資料こそ長い間探していたものだ。This is precisely the document I’ve been looking for for so long.

でも

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Used to show by an extreme example that something is obvious. “Even”

そんなことは子供でも知っている。 Even a child would know that. 小さなミスでも見落としてはいけない。Even a small mistake must not be overlooked.

Used in proposals, expressions of intent or requests, meaning “even if it is only…” or or something

お茶でも飲みましょうか。 Let’s have some tea or something 映画でも見ようかな。I think I’ll watch a movie or something

も

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1日も休まないで学校に通った。I went to school without missing a single day.

財布は空っぽだ。1円も残っていない。My wallet is empty. Not even a one yen left.

Used with extreme examples “even.”

足が痛くて立つこともできない。My leg hurts so bad that I can’t even stand.”

この子はもう難しい漢字もかける。*This kid can even already write difficult kanji”

さえ

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Used with extreme examples that underline the unexpectedness, also ”even.”

冷蔵庫には卵さえ入っていない。There aren’t even any eggs in the fridge.

旅好きな彼は北極にさえ行ったことがある。He loves to travel so much that he’s even gone to the North Pole!

Indicates a minimum condition necessary “if only.”

Maybe: “as long as” See: [[N3 Grammar#6課 もし、⋯#〜さえ〜ば⋯・〜さえ〜なら⋯]]

自分さえ良ければ、それでいいのですか。As long as you’re okay, that’s the only thing that matters?

雨さえ降らなければ、花火ができる。As long as it doesn’t rain, we can do fireworks

まで

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Emphasizes unexpected extent or scope of something; Yet another “even.”

Same as さえ(1) but slightly more colloquial.

赤ん坊が泣くと、私まで泣きたくなる。When my baby cries, even I feel like crying

借金までして高い車を買わなくてもいい。You don’t even need to take on debt just to buy an expensive car.

くらい・ぐらい

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Denotes a minimum extent of something

簡単な挨拶ぐらいなら日本語で言える。If it’s just a simple introduction, I can say it in Japanese

今日は少しぐらいお酒を飲んでもいいね。It’s alright to just have a little bit to drink today.

Used to express similarity of extent, by citing a similar example.

See: [[N3 Grammar#3課 比べれば⋯・〜がいちばん#〜くらいだ・〜ぐらいだ・〜くらい・〜ほどだ・〜ほど]]

卵ぐらいの大きさのパンを作った。I made bread that was roughly the size of an egg.

この車は私にも買えるくらいの値段だ。Even I can afford this car’s price.

など・なんか

Used to suggest something or to raise alternatives; means “or something like that.” Possibly: “for example.”

この服などいかがですか。似合いますよ。How about something like this outfit? It suits you well.

食後には果物など召し上がりませんか *Why don’t you eat some fruit or something after your meal?”

だけ

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Expresses limitation; “only.”

私は動物が好きだが、蛇だけは嫌だ. I love animals, but snakes are one thing I can’t stand.

母にだけは本当のことを話そうと思う。I think I’ll only tell my mother the truth.

“Only,” in the sense of limited range. The maximum possible

彼は言いたいだけ言って帰ってしまった。*He said everything he wanted to and then left.

やれるだけのことはもうみんなやった。I’ve already done everything that I can do.