By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
～はおろか is an advanced Japanese grammar pattern used to emphasize that something is so obvious or extreme that it goes without saying, and even more surprising things are also true. It’s similar to “not only… but also…” or “let alone…” in English.
Translation: Not only… but also / Let alone / Needless to say
Form:
- Noun + はおろか + (also unexpected/greater example)
Used when the second item is more surprising, extreme, or unexpected than the first.
💡 Example Sentences
- 忙しすぎて、旅行はおろか、休みも取れない。
I’m so busy that I can’t even take a break, let alone go on a trip. - 漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ読めない。
He can’t even read hiragana, let alone kanji. - 彼は日本語はおろか、英語も話せない。
He can’t speak English, let alone Japanese. - 風邪で、学校はおろか、家から一歩も出られなかった。
I had a cold and couldn’t even leave the house, let alone go to school. - スマホはおろか、電話も持っていない。
He doesn’t even have a phone, let alone a smartphone.
📝 Grammar Notes
- The word before はおろか is something basic or expected, and what follows is more extreme or surprising.
- This pattern has a strong emphasis and is often used in formal or written contexts.
- Usually translated as “let alone” or “not to mention.”
- Similar in usage to ～どころか, but stronger in contrast and surprise.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 忙しくて、朝ご飯＿＿＿＿、水を飲む時間もなかった。
- 彼は敬語＿＿＿＿、普通の日本語も使えない。
- 夏休みは＿＿＿＿、週末も休めなかった。
✔ Answers:
- はおろか
- はおろか
- はおろか
2. Translate into Japanese
- I can’t even write hiragana, let alone kanji.
- She doesn’t have a computer, let alone the internet.
- He can’t afford a car, not to mention a house.
✔ Sample Answers:
- ひらがなはおろか、漢字も書けない。
- パソコンはおろか、インターネットも使えない。
- 家はおろか、車も買えない。
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～どころか: Far from / Not only… but the opposite
- ～はもちろん: Not only… but also (neutral emphasis)
- ～はさておき: Setting aside / Leaving aside
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Not only… but also / Let alone
- Level: JLPT N1
- Form: Noun + はおろか + (more extreme example)
- Usage: Emphasize that something is not only true, but something more extreme is also true
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
