Processing keyword: Noun ですら (~desura)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun ですら (~desura)

Noun ですら (～ですら)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～ですら is used in Japanese to emphasize that something is true even in an extreme or unexpected case. It often highlights surprising information or expresses that a situation applies even to the most unlikely examples.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～ですら translates to "even" in English.
• It emphasizes that the statement applies even to the extreme case of the noun it follows.

Structure

The structure for using ～ですら is straightforward:

Noun + ですら

• Noun: Any noun to which the emphasis applies.
• ですら: A particle indicating "even".

Formation Diagram

[ Noun ] + ですら

Visual Aid

3. Comparative Analysis

～ですら vs. ～さえ

• Both ですら and さえ mean "even" and are used to emphasize unexpected or extreme examples.
• ですら is considered slightly more formal or literary than さえ.
• さえ can be used in more casual contexts and can attach to verbs and adjectives with additional grammar, whereas ですら is primarily used with nouns.

  Grammar Point	Usage	Formality
  ～ですら	Emphasizes "even" with nouns	Formal
  ～さえ	Emphasizes "even" with nouns and verbs	Informal

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. 忙しくて、食事ですら取れない。 Isogashikute, shokuji desura torenai. "I'm so busy that I can't even have a meal."
2. 彼は自分の名前ですら忘れてしまった。 Kare wa jibun no namae desura wasurete shimatta. "He forgot even his own name."
3. この問題は専門家ですら解けない。 Kono mondai wa senmonka desura tokenai. "Even experts cannot solve this problem."
4. 彼女はひらがなですら読めない。 Kanojo wa hiragana desura yomenai. "She can't even read hiragana."
5. その出来事は子供ですら知っている。 Sono dekigoto wa kodomo desura shitte iru. "Even children know about that incident."

Contextual Notes

• The use of ですら adds emphasis, highlighting that the noun is an extreme or unexpected case.
• These sentences can be used in both spoken and written Japanese, though ですら leans towards a more formal tone.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Emphasizing unexpected situations is common in Japanese communication to express surprise or to stress the severity of a situation.
• Understanding the nuance of particles like ですら helps in grasping the speaker's intent and the emphasis they want to convey.

Politeness and Formality

• ですら is more formal and may be used in written language, speeches, or formal conversations.
• In casual conversations, さえ might be more commonly used.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Misusing ですら with verbs or adjectives: Incorrect: 彼は走るですらできない。 Correct: 彼は走ることですらできない。
• Confusing ですら with でも (which means "but" or "however"): でも is a conjunctive particle and does not convey the meaning of "even".

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of ですら as "DEmonstrating SUrprising RAre cases" to remember that it emphasizes even the rarest instances.
• Practice by creating sentences: Make your own sentences using ですら to emphasize unexpected situations in your daily life.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～ですら is used to emphasize that something is true even in an extreme case.
• It attaches directly to nouns.
• It is more formal than ～さえ.
• Helps express surprise or highlight the unexpected nature of a situation.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What does ですら mean and how is it used?
2. How does ですら differ from さえ?
3. Create a sentence using ですら to express that you didn't have time to sleep.

Answers

1. ですら means "even" and is used to emphasize that something applies even to an extreme or unexpected case. It attaches directly to nouns.
2. ですら is more formal and used primarily with nouns, whereas さえ is less formal and can be used with nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
3. 忙しくて、睡眠ですら取れなかった。 Isogashikute, suimin desura torenakatta. "I was so busy that I couldn't even get any sleep."