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L2G38 N-조차 grammar = (not) even …~ “not only the others but also the primary one”

Usage:
- To express “not only the others but also the primary one” = (not) even...
- It refers to an extreme situation that speaker didn't expect or anticipate

Noun + 조차: 

한글 -- 한글조차 (not.. even Hangul)

제주도 -- 제주도조차 (not... even Jeju island)

엄마 -- 엄마조차 (not... even my mother)

부모님 -- 부모님조차  (not... even my parents)

바람 -- 바람조차 (even no wind)

Specific usage :

1. This expression is naturally used in negative statements.

E.g. 안아 씨가 한글조차 못 읽어요.

2. It is often used with -은/는커녕 to indicate the negation of not only one thing, but also something else.

E.g. 우리 엄마는 해외여행커녕 제주도조차 못 가 보셨어요.

Our mother has never even travelled to Jeju, not to mention overseas.

3. The form -(으)ㄹ 수조차 없다 is used with Verb.

E.g. 다리가 너무 아파서 일어날 수조차 없어요.

I can't even stand since my legs hurt so much. 

Examples:

1. 정말 이 사람을 모르세요?
- 네, 저는 그 사람 이름조차 몰라요.

Don’t you really know this person?
- Yes, I don't even know his name.

2. 비행기 사고가 났다는 뉴스 들었어요?
- 아니요. 요즘에 너무 바쁘니까 인터넷 뉴스조차 볼 시간이 없어요.

Did you hear the news about the plane accident?
- No, I have been so busy lately that I don't even have time to see the news on the Internet.

3. 엄마조차 저를 못 믿으시는 거예요?

(Are you saying that) Even you (my mother) don't believe me?

4. 더운 날씨에 에어컨조차 고장이 나 버려서 정말 죽겠어요.

Even the air conditioner has broken down in this heat, It’s unbearable.

5. 너무 슬프면 눈물조차 안 나오는 경우도 있어요.

There is a case that tears don't flow even thing is so sad.

6. 복권에 당첨되는 일은 상상조차 안 해 봤어요.

I don’t even imagine the day that I win a lottery.

7. 고등학교 때 일본어를 배우했는데 지금은 인사말조차 생각이 안 나요.

I studied Japanese during high school, but now I don't even think about speaking a greeting in Japanese.

8. 요즘 살이 많이 빠지니까 고향에 갔는데 부모님조차 저를 못 알아봐요.

Since I lost my weight a lot recently, my parents couldn't recognize me when I visited my hometown.

9. 더운데 바람조차 안 부네요.

It’s hot and even no wind flows.

10. 다리가 너무 아파서 일어설 수조차 없어요.

I can't even stand since my legs hurt so much.