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A2 particle 8 دقيقة للقراءة

조차

jocha

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 조차 في 30 ثانية

الشرح 조차 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use '조차' often, as '도' (also/even) is usually enough. However, you might hear it in very simple phrases like '나조차 몰라' (Even I don't know). At this stage, just think of it as a 'stronger' version of '도' that people use when they are surprised or upset. It's a way to say 'even this simple thing' is happening or not happening. You will mostly see it attached to nouns like 'me', 'you', or 'food'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you begin to use '조차' to express basic difficulties. You learn that it usually goes with negative words like '없다' (to not have) or '못하다' (cannot). For example, '돈이 없어서 빵조차 못 사요' (I don't have money, so I can't even buy bread). Here, '조차' shows that bread is a basic item, and not being able to buy it is a serious problem. You also start to see it with the '-기조차' form for verbs, like '걷기조차 힘들어요' (It's hard even to walk).

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish '조차' from '까지' and '마저'. You use '조차' to add emotional nuance to your stories. Instead of just stating facts, you use it to show disappointment or extreme circumstances. You might use it in more complex sentences, like '그는 친구들조차 믿지 못하게 되었다' (He became unable to trust even his friends). This level focuses on the social and emotional implications of the particle, emphasizing that the 'least expected' person or thing is involved.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, '조차' appears in more formal and abstract contexts. You will see it in news articles and literature. You use it to argue a point, showing that even in the most extreme or basic scenario, a certain condition holds. For example, '이 이론은 전문가들조차 이해하기 어렵다' (This theory is difficult even for experts to understand). You also learn to stack it with other particles like '에서조차' or '에게조차' to specify locations or recipients of the 'even' effect.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you master the rhetorical power of '조차'. You use it to create emphasis in writing and formal speaking. It becomes a tool for irony or deep pathos. You might use it to describe existential states, such as '자신의 존재조차 희미해지는 기분' (The feeling of even one's own existence becoming faint). You understand the historical and literary weight it carries and can use it to mirror the style of Korean prose or high-level journalism.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, '조차' is used with perfect native-like precision. You can distinguish the finest shades of meaning between '조차', '마저', and '까지' in complex philosophical or legal texts. You use it to express the 'limits of possibility.' For example, in a legal context, you might discuss whether a certain law applies 'to those who haven't even committed a crime' (범죄를 저지르지 않은 사람들조차). Your usage is seamless, and you can use it to convey subtle sarcasm or profound tragedy without over-explaining.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

조차 في 30 ثانية

Means 'even' or 'not even' in Korean.
Used almost exclusively in negative or difficult contexts.
Emphasizes the 'extreme' or 'most basic' case of a situation.
Replaces subject and object particles (이/가, 을/를).

The Korean particle 조차 (jo-cha) is a sophisticated postposition used to express the idea of 'even' or 'not even.' Unlike the simple particle '도' (also/even), 조차 carries a heavy emotional weight, typically implying that the situation is much worse than expected or that something fundamentally basic has been compromised. It is most frequently encountered in negative contexts, highlighting a sense of disappointment, surprise, or extreme hardship.

Core Function: It attaches to a noun to indicate that the noun represents the most basic or least expected thing to be included in a situation, yet it is included (or excluded in negative sentences).

그는 자기 이름조차 기억하지 못했다. (He couldn't even remember his own name.)

In the example above, remembering one's own name is considered the most basic level of memory. By using 조차, the speaker emphasizes the severity of the person's condition. If you used '도' here, it would be a simple statement of fact; with 조차, it conveys a tone of shock or tragedy. This particle is essential for expressing the 'lowest common denominator' in a series of failures or unfortunate events.

Emotional Nuance: It suggests that the speaker had some expectation that was not met, leading to a feeling of 'this is too much' or 'this is the limit.'

날씨가 너무 추워서 숨쉬기조차 힘들어요. (It's so cold that even breathing is difficult.)

When you use 조차, you are framing the noun as the 'extreme case.' It is often found in literature and news reports to dramatize a situation. For instance, in a report about a famine, a journalist might say that people 'don't even have water to drink,' using 조차 to underscore the desperation. In daily life, you might use it when you are so tired that 'even standing up' feels like a monumental task.

Negative Predicate Requirement: In almost all natural usage, '조차' is followed by a negative verb (못하다, 안 하다) or a word with a negative connotation (힘들다, 어렵다, 싫다).

너조차 나를 못 믿니? (Even you don't believe me?)

Using 조차 correctly involves understanding its placement and the types of words it accompanies. It is a postposition, meaning it attaches directly to the end of a noun or a nominalized verb without any spaces. It replaces the subject particles (이/가) and object particles (을/를), but it can be added after other particles like '에' or '에서'.

Noun Attachment: Noun + 조차. There is no change regardless of whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant. Example: 친구 (friend) becomes 친구조차; 물 (water) becomes 물조차.

가족조차 그를 외면했다. (Even his family turned their backs on him.)

When attaching to verbs, you must first convert the verb into a noun form using -(으)ㄹ 수 or -기. Most commonly, it is used with the pattern -기조차 followed by an adjective like '힘들다' (hard) or '싫다' (dislike).

Verb Nominalization: Verb Stem + 기 + 조차. This turns the action into a subject for the following negative description. Example: 생각하다 (to think) becomes 생각하기조차 싫다 (I hate even thinking about it).

그 영화는 보기조차 무서웠어요. (That movie was scary even to look at.)

A key grammatical rule is the 'Negative Harmony.' Because 조차 implies an unexpected addition to a bad state, the sentence usually ends with 안, 못, 없다, 모르다, or negative-leaning verbs. If you use it in a purely positive sentence, it will sound awkward or sarcastic to a native speaker.

Particle Stacking: You can combine it with location particles. Example: 서울에서조차 (Even in Seoul), 그에게조차 (Even to him).

전문가들조차 이 문제를 해결하지 못했다. (Even the experts could not solve this problem.)

In this case, '전문가들' (experts) are the people you would most expect to solve a problem. Their failure is the 'extreme case' that 조차 highlights. This structure is very common in academic writing and formal debates to show that a certain premise holds true even under the most unlikely circumstances.

While 조차 is used in daily conversation, it is particularly prevalent in media, literature, and formal speeches where emphasis is required. You will hear it in K-Dramas during scenes of intense betrayal or despair, in news reports regarding economic crises, and in lyrics of sad songs.

In K-Dramas and Movies: Characters use it to express hurt. '어떻게 너조차 나를 배신할 수 있어?' (How can even you betray me?) suggests that the speaker trusted this person above all others.

슬퍼할 시간조차 없었다. (There wasn't even time to be sad.)

This phrase is a classic trope in action or tragedy genres, indicating a situation so chaotic that basic human emotions are a luxury. In the workplace, you might hear a boss say, '기본적인 예의조차 없군요' (You don't even have basic manners), which is a very strong and formal rebuke.

In News and Journalism: Journalists use it to highlight statistics. '수도권조차 인구가 줄어들고 있다' (Even the metropolitan area's population is shrinking) emphasizes that if the capital is shrinking, the rest of the country is in even worse shape.

희망조차 사라진 절망적인 상황. (A desperate situation where even hope has disappeared.)

In music, particularly ballads, 조차 is a favorite for songwriters. Phrases like '너의 목소리조차 잊혀질까 봐' (For fear that even your voice will be forgotten) add a poetic, tragic layer to the lyrics. It transforms a simple 'I might forget' into a deep, existential fear of losing the most precious remaining memory.

Daily Complaints: '너무 피곤해서 씻기조차 귀찮아' (I'm so tired that even washing up is a bother). This is a very common way for Koreans to express extreme fatigue.

The most common mistake learners make with 조차 is confusing it with the particles 까지 (until/even) and 마저 (even/last remaining). While all three can translate to 'even' in English, their nuances are distinct and non-interchangeable in many contexts.

Mistake 1: Using '조차' in Positive Contexts: Incorrect: '생일 선물로 차조차 받았어요' (I even received a car for my birthday). Since receiving a car is a good thing, '까지' should be used instead. '조차' implies an unwelcome or burdensome inclusion.

Wrong: 합격 소식에 기쁨조차 느꼈다.
Right: 합격 소식에 기쁨까지 느꼈다.

Another mistake is the confusion with 마저. While 조차 focuses on the *unexpectedness* of the inclusion in a negative state, 마저 focuses on the *finality*. 마저 is used when the 'last one' is gone. For example, '하나 마저 잃어버렸다' means 'I lost the very last one.' 조차 would not fit there unless you were emphasizing that losing that one was unthinkable.

Mistake 2: Redundant Particle Usage: Learners often try to keep '이/가' or '을/를' when adding '조차'. Remember that '조차' replaces these basic particles. You don't say '이름을 조차', just '이름조차'.

Correct: 밥조차 못 먹었어요. (I couldn't even eat rice.)
Incorrect: 밥을조차 못 먹었어요.

Lastly, avoid using 조차 with commands or suggestions. Since it deals with states of being or occurrences beyond one's control (often negative), it doesn't fit well with 'Please do...' or 'Let's...'. It is a descriptive particle used to paint a picture of a situation.

Understanding the subtle differences between 'even' particles in Korean is a hallmark of an advanced learner. Here is a breakdown of how 조차 compares to its closest relatives.

조차 vs. 까지: '까지' is the most versatile. It can mean 'until' (time/space) or 'even' (addition). Unlike '조차', '까지' is frequently used in positive contexts. '선물까지 받았어' (I even got a gift) is natural. '선물조차 받았어' sounds like getting the gift was a bad thing or a burden.

비가 오는데 바람까지 분다. (It's raining, and now even the wind is blowing - neutral addition).
비가 오는데 바람조차 안 분다. (It's raining, but even the wind isn't blowing - emphasizing a strange lack of wind).

조차 vs. 마저: '마저' implies 'the only one left' or 'the last remaining.' If you say '너마저 나를 떠나니?', it means everyone else has already left, and now you (the last one) are leaving too. '너조차 나를 떠나니?' means even you (whom I never expected to leave) are leaving.

In many cases, 조차 and 마저 are both used in negative situations, making them harder to distinguish. However, 마저 focuses on the completion of a set (the last piece), while 조차 focuses on the degree of the situation (the extreme case).

조차 vs. 커녕: '커녕' is used to say 'far from [X], even [Y] is not true.' It often pairs with '조차'. Example: '밥은커녕 물조차 못 마셨다' (Far from eating rice, I couldn't even drink water).

칭찬은커녕 비난조차 듣지 못했다. (Far from praise, I didn't even hear any criticism.)

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In old Korean, it literally meant 'following,' but over centuries, it shifted from a verb form to a focus particle that emphasizes extreme inclusion.

دليل النطق

UK /dʑo.tɕʰa/

US /dʒoʊ.tʃɑ/

The stress is balanced, but the second syllable 'cha' is aspirated and slightly more forceful.

يتقافى مع

도차 (do-cha) 모차 (mo-cha) 포차 (po-cha) 기차 (gi-cha) 주차 (ju-cha) 오차 (o-cha) 절차 (jeol-cha) 교차 (gyo-cha)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing '조' as 'cho' (too much air).
Pronouncing '차' as 'ja' (not enough air).
Adding a vowel sound at the end like '조차-이'.
Mixing it up with '조사' (particle).
Pronouncing the 'o' as 'aw' like in 'jaw'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize in text due to its unique shape.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires remembering the negative harmony rule.

التحدث 4/5

Hard to master the emotional nuance correctly.

الاستماع 3/5

Clearly audible but often confused with '까지' by beginners.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

도 까지 없다 못하다 안

تعلّم لاحقاً

마저 커녕 치고 만 해도

متقدم

-(으)ㄹ뿐더러 -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Negative Polarity Items

조차 requires a negative ending.

Particle Substitution

조차 replaces Subject/Object markers.

Nominalization with -기

먹기조차, 보기조차.

Particle Stacking

에서조차, 에게조차.

Emphasis with '도'

조차도 can be used for extra emphasis.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

나조차 몰랐어.

Even I didn't know.

나 (me) + 조차 (even)

너조차 안 왔어?

Even you didn't come?

너 (you) + 조차 (even)

물조차 없어요.

There isn't even water.

물 (water) + 조차 (even)

밥조차 못 먹었어.

I couldn't even eat rice.

밥 (rice/meal) + 조차 (even)

이름조차 몰라요.

I don't even know the name.

이름 (name) + 조차 (even)

인사조차 안 해요.

They don't even say hello.

인사 (greeting) + 조차 (even)

소리조차 안 들려.

I can't even hear a sound.

소리 (sound) + 조차 (even)

웃음조차 안 나와.

I can't even laugh.

웃음 (laughter) + 조차 (even)

걷기조차 힘들어요.

It's hard even to walk.

걷기 (walking) + 조차 (even)

전화조차 못 했어요.

I couldn't even make a phone call.

전화 (phone call) + 조차 (even)

그는 사과조차 안 했다.

He didn't even apologize.

사과 (apology) + 조차 (even)

너무 바빠서 쉴 시간조차 없어.

I'm so busy I don't even have time to rest.

쉴 시간 (time to rest) + 조차 (even)

이 책은 읽기조차 어려워요.

This book is difficult even to read.

읽기 (reading) + 조차 (even)

편지조차 못 보냈어요.

I couldn't even send a letter.

편지 (letter) + 조차 (even)

그는 돈조차 빌려주지 않았다.

He wouldn't even lend me money.

돈 (money) + 조차 (even)

아이조차 그 사실을 알아요.

Even a child knows that fact.

아이 (child) + 조차 (even)

가족들조차 나를 믿지 않는다.

Even my family doesn't believe me.

가족들 (family members) + 조차 (even)

그 소식은 듣기조차 괴로웠다.

That news was painful even to hear.

듣기 (hearing) + 조차 (even)

희망조차 보이지 않는 상황이다.

It's a situation where even hope isn't visible.

희망 (hope) + 조차 (even)

그는 자기 잘못조차 인정하지 않는다.

He doesn't even acknowledge his own faults.

잘못 (fault/mistake) + 조차 (even)

너무 추워서 말하기조차 싫다.

It's so cold I don't even want to speak.

말하기 (speaking) + 조차 (even)

작은 기회조차 잡지 못했다.

I couldn't even grab a small opportunity.

작은 기회 (small opportunity) + 조차 (even)

그 영화는 제목조차 기억이 안 나.

I can't even remember the title of that movie.

제목 (title) + 조차 (even)

그는 고맙다는 인사조차 없었다.

He didn't even say thank you.

고맙다는 인사 (thank you greeting) + 조차 (even)

전문가들조차 이 현상을 설명하지 못한다.

Even experts cannot explain this phenomenon.

전문가들 (experts) + 조차 (even)

그곳에서는 숨쉬기조차 힘들 정도로 공기가 나빴다.

The air was so bad there that even breathing was difficult.

숨쉬기 (breathing) + 조차 (even)

그는 동료들조차 모르게 회사를 그만두었다.

He quit the company without even his colleagues knowing.

동료들 (colleagues) + 조차 (even)

가장 기본적인 권리조차 보장받지 못하고 있다.

Even the most basic rights are not being guaranteed.

기본적인 권리 (basic rights) + 조차 (even)

이런 사소한 일조차 제대로 못 하면 어떡하니?

What will you do if you can't even do such a minor thing properly?

사소한 일 (minor task) + 조차 (even)

성공한 사람들에게조차 실패의 두려움은 있다.

Even for successful people, there is a fear of failure.

사람들에게 (to people) + 조차 (even)

그는 자신의 그림자조차 무서워하는 겁쟁이다.

He is such a coward that he's even afraid of his own shadow.

그림자 (shadow) + 조차 (even)

정부조차 이 위기를 해결할 대책이 없다.

Even the government has no measures to solve this crisis.

정부 (government) + 조차 (even)

문명사회에서조차 이런 비극이 일어난다.

Even in a civilized society, such tragedies occur.

문명사회에서 (in civilized society) + 조차 (even)

그의 이름은 역사 속에서 흔적조차 없이 사라졌다.

His name disappeared from history without even a trace.

흔적 (trace/vestige) + 조차 (even)

진실조차 왜곡되는 것이 현대 사회의 단면이다.

That even truth is distorted is a facet of modern society.

진실 (truth) + 조차 (even)

그는 죽음의 문턱에서조차 평온함을 유지했다.

He maintained his calm even at the threshold of death.

죽음의 문턱에서 (at death's door) + 조차 (even)

그 제안은 검토할 가치조차 없다고 판단되었다.

The proposal was judged not to have even the value of being reviewed.

검토할 가치 (value to review) + 조차 (even)

사랑조차 사치가 되어버린 청년 세대의 현실.

The reality of the youth generation where even love has become a luxury.

사랑 (love) + 조차 (even)

신조차 그를 돕지 않는 것 같았다.

It felt as if even God was not helping him.

신 (God) + 조차 (even)

그 예술가는 자신의 작품조차 파괴하며 완벽을 추구했다.

The artist sought perfection, even destroying his own works.

작품 (work of art) + 조차 (even)

존재의 근원조차 의심하게 만드는 철학적 질문들.

Philosophical questions that make one doubt even the source of existence.

존재의 근원 (source of existence) + 조차 (even)

언어조차 형언할 수 없는 숭고한 아름다움.

A sublime beauty that even language cannot describe.

언어 (language) + 조차 (even)

가장 견고한 신념조차 시간 앞에서는 무너질 수 있다.

Even the firmest beliefs can crumble before time.

신념 (belief) + 조차 (even)

그는 고통조차 초월한 듯한 표정을 짓고 있었다.

He had an expression as if he had transcended even pain.

고통 (pain) + 조차 (even)

법의 테두리 안에서조차 정의가 실현되지 않을 때가 있다.

There are times when justice is not realized even within the boundaries of the law.

법의 테두리 안에서 (within the frame of law) + 조차 (even)

그의 침묵은 거절조차 뛰어넘는 거대한 거부였다.

His silence was a massive rejection that surpassed even a simple refusal.

거절 (refusal) + 조차 (even)

기억의 파편조차 남지 않은 망각의 상태.

A state of oblivion where not even fragments of memory remain.

기억의 파편 (fragments of memory) + 조차 (even)

인간의 이성조차 통제할 수 없는 광기.

A madness that even human reason cannot control.

인간의 이성 (human reason) + 조차 (even)

تلازمات شائعة

생각하기조차 싫다

이름조차 모르다

흔적조차 없다

말하기조차 힘들다

기본조차 안 되다

가족조차 외면하다

물조차 못 마시다

그림자조차 보이지 않다

꿈조차 꾸지 마라

상상조차 못 하다

العبارات الشائعة

나조차도

— Even I (emphasized with '도').

나조차도 그 사실을 몰랐어.

기억조차 안 나

— I don't even remember.

어제 무슨 일이 있었는지 기억조차 안 나.

눈길조차 주지 않다

— To not even give a glance.

그녀는 나에게 눈길조차 주지 않았다.

말조차 붙이기 어렵다

— Hard to even start a conversation with someone.

그는 너무 화가 나서 말조차 붙이기 어렵다.

기회조차 없다

— There isn't even an opportunity.

설명할 기회조차 없었다.

숨조차 못 쉬다

— To not even be able to breathe.

긴장해서 숨조차 못 쉬겠어.

꿈조차 못 꾸다

— To not even be able to dream of something (impossible).

해외여행은 꿈조차 못 꿔요.

믿기조차 어렵다

— Hard even to believe.

그의 성공은 믿기조차 어렵다.

쳐다보기조차 싫다

— To hate even looking at something.

그 더러운 방은 쳐다보기조차 싫다.

이유조차 모르다

— To not even know the reason.

그가 왜 화났는지 이유조차 모르겠어.

يُخلط عادةً مع

조차 vs 까지

까지 is for addition (positive/neutral), 조차 is for extreme addition (negative).

조차 vs 마저

마저 is for the last one remaining, 조차 is for the least expected one.

조차 vs 도

도 is simple 'also/even', 조차 is heavy and emotional.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"발붙일 곳조차 없다"

— To not even have a place to set foot (no space or no place to belong).

이 사회에는 내가 발붙일 곳조차 없다.

Literary

"코빼기조차 안 보이다"

— To not show one's face at all (not even the tip of the nose).

그는 요즘 코빼기조차 안 보인다.

Informal

"쥐구멍조차 없다"

— To not even have a rat hole to hide in (extremely embarrassed or trapped).

너무 창피해서 숨을 쥐구멍조차 없었다.

Colloquial

"이름조차 못 올리다"

— To not even be able to get one's name on a list (not qualified).

그는 후보 명단에 이름조차 못 올렸다.

Formal

"눈곱만큼조차 없다"

— To not have even as much as eye crust (not a single bit).

그는 양심이 눈곱만큼조차 없다.

Slang/Informal

"바늘 끝조차 안 들어가다"

— To be extremely tight or stubborn (not even a needle tip enters).

그의 고집은 바늘 끝조차 안 들어간다.

Metaphorical

"말문조차 막히다"

— To be so shocked that one cannot even speak.

어이가 없어서 말문조차 막혔다.

Neutral

"그림자조차 밟지 않다"

— To respect someone so much you don't even step on their shadow.

스승님의 그림자조차 밟지 말아야 한다.

Traditional

"뼈조차 못 추리다"

— To be completely destroyed (not even able to gather one's bones).

그와 싸우면 뼈조차 못 추릴 거야.

Aggressive/Slang

"명함조차 못 내밀다"

— To not even be able to present a business card (not in the same league).

그 실력으로는 여기 명함조차 못 내밀어.

Colloquial

سهل الخلط

조차 vs 조사

Sounds similar.

조사 is a noun meaning investigation or a general term for particles.

경찰이 조사를 시작했다.

조차 vs 조용

Starts with the same sound.

조용 is part of '조용하다' (to be quiet).

조용히 하세요.

조차 vs 조금

Starts with '조'.

조금 means 'a little bit'.

조금만 주세요.

조차 vs 조심

Starts with '조'.

조심 means 'caution'.

차 조심하세요.

조차 vs 조상

Starts with '조'.

조상 means 'ancestors'.

조상님께 감사하다.

أنماط الجُمل

Noun + 조차 + 없어요

시간조차 없어요.

Noun + 조차 + 못 해요

전화조차 못 해요.

Verb-기 + 조차 + 힘들다

일어나기조차 힘들어요.

Noun-에게 + 조차

아이들에게조차 위험해요.

Noun-에서 + 조차

집에서조차 쉴 수 없어요.

Noun + 조차 + 안 되다

이해조차 안 돼요.

Noun + 조차 + 불가능하다

수정조차 불가능합니다.

Noun + 조차 + 형언할 수 없다

슬픔조차 형언할 수 없다.

عائلة الكلمة

مرتبط

도 (also/even)

까지 (until/even)

마저 (even/last)

커녕 (far from)

심지어 (even/moreover)

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

High in emotional or formal descriptive contexts.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 조차 in positive sentences. → Using 까지 for positive additions.
조차 implies a negative or burdensome extreme.
Adding 을/를 before 조차. → Noun + 조차.
조차 is a postposition that replaces object and subject markers.
Confusing 조차 with 마저 in non-final contexts. → Use 조차 for general extremes, 마저 for the 'last' one.
마저 has a 'finality' nuance that 조차 lacks.
Using 조차 for time duration. → Using 까지 for 'until'.
조차 cannot mean 'until' or 'up to a certain time'.
Forgeting the negative predicate. → Ensuring the verb/adjective is negative.
Without a negative ending, 조차 sounds incomplete or wrong.

نصائح

Check the Ending

Always ensure your sentence has a negative nuance. Look for words like '없다', '못하다', '안', '힘들다', or '싫다'.

Emphasize the 'Cha'

Koreans often slightly elongate or stress the '차' to show they are being emphatic.

Use with '커녕'

For maximum impact, use the pattern '[Noun A]은/는커녕 [Noun B]조차 [Negative]'. It's very idiomatic.

Context Clues

If the situation seems bad, and you hear a particle that isn't '도' or '까지', it's probably '조차'.

Avoid Redundancy

Don't use '심지어' and '조차' in the same short phrase; it's often redundant. Pick one for focus.

Learn Fixed Phrases

Memorize '상상조차 못 하다' as a single block. It's used constantly.

Drama Watch

Watch for the moment a character feels betrayed. That's when '조차' usually appears.

News Headlines

Look for '조차' in economy or social news. It points to the 'worst' part of the news.

TOPIK Tip

In the TOPIK exam, if you see a blank in a negative sentence emphasizing an extreme, '조차' is a likely answer.

The 'Joe' Story

Joe is so poor he can't even afford 'Cha' (tea). Joe-cha = even tea is too much.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Imagine 'Jo' (a person) is so tired he can't 'Cha' (cha-cha dance). 'Jo-cha' means even the dance is too much!

ربط بصري

A person trying to reach for a glass of water on a high shelf but failing. The water is '물조차' (even water).

Word Web

Negative Context Unexpected Extreme Particle Even Disappointment Surprise Emphasis

تحدٍّ

Try to write three sentences about a bad day you had, using '조차' to describe the 'even' things that went wrong.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from Middle Korean '조차' (jo-cha), which was a connective form of the verb '좇다' (jot-da), meaning 'to follow' or 'to pursue'.

المعنى الأصلي: Originally implied following or being added along with something else.

Koreanic

السياق الثقافي

Be careful using '조차' when talking to superiors about their mistakes, as it can sound very accusatory or dramatic.

English speakers often use 'even' for both positive and negative surprises. Koreans are much more specific, using '조차' almost exclusively for the negative ones.

The song '너조차' (Even You) by various artists often explores betrayal. Literary works like 'Soil' by Yi Kwang-su use '조차' to describe the poverty of peasants. Commonly found in news headlines about 'The Era of N-po Generation' (generations giving up on things).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Financial Hardship

돈조차 없다
밥조차 못 먹다
집조차 없다
버스비조차 없다

Physical Illness

물조차 못 마시다
일어나기조차 힘들다
말하기조차 괴롭다
눈뜨기조차 어렵다

Social Betrayal

너조차 나를
친구들조차 외면하다
부모님조차 모르다
아무도조차

Extreme Weather

숨쉬기조차 힘들다
나기조차 무섭다
보이지조차 않다
서 있기조차 어렵다

Ignorance/Forgetfulness

이름조차 모르다
얼굴조차 기억 안 나다
존재조차 모르다
이유조차 안 가르쳐주다

بدايات محادثة

"요즘 너무 바빠서 밥 먹을 시간조차 없어요. 어떡하죠?"

"그 영화 보셨어요? 저는 무서워서 제목조차 못 보겠더라고요."

"친한 친구조차 제 생일을 잊어버렸어요. 너무 슬퍼요."

"한국어 공부가 너무 어려워서 단어조차 안 외워져요."

"어제는 너무 피곤해서 씻기조차 귀찮았어요."

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

인생에서 가장 힘들었을 때, 무엇조차 할 수 없었나요?

누군가에게 배신감을 느꼈을 때, '너조차 그럴 줄 몰랐다'라고 생각한 적이 있나요?

너무 바빠서 기본적인 것조차 챙기지 못한 하루에 대해 써보세요.

세상에서 사라져서는 안 될, 하지만 흔적조차 없이 사라질까 봐 두려운 것은 무엇인가요?

전문가들조차 해결하지 못하는 사회적 문제에 대해 자신의 생각을 적어보세요.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Generally, no. It sounds very awkward to native speakers. If you want to say 'I even got a bonus!', use '까지' instead.

They mean the same thing, but '조차도' is more emphatic. The '도' adds an extra layer of 'even'.

It is used in both, but it appears very frequently in formal writing and news because of its ability to emphasize points.

No, 조차 replaces them. You should say '밥조차' not '밥을 조차'.

You must change the verb to the -기 form first. For example, '보기조차 싫다' (I hate even looking).

No, 조차 only means 'even.' It cannot be used for time or distance limits.

Yes, 조차 is used more broadly to describe general hardships, while 마저 is specific to 'the last one'.

Yes, usually to express shock. '너조차 나를 못 믿니?' (Even you don't believe me?)

Nouns, nominalized verbs (-기), and other particles (에, 에서, 에게).

Because it focuses the listener's attention on a specific, extreme part of the sentence.

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