조차
jocha
Even the one thing you'd never expect: 조차
The picture Things lined up from easiest to hardest, with a finger pointing at the easy end. If it failed even there, the rest needs no discussion.
Where the picture shows up in 조차
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even the most basic thing
물조차 못 마셨어요.
mul-jo-cha mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo
I couldn't even drink water.
What follows 조차 is almost always something bad. For good news, use 까지.
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even the easiest thing to recall
이름조차 기억이 안 나요.
i-reum-jo-cha gi-eo-gi an na-yo
I can't even remember his name.
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even the closest people
가족조차 몰랐어요.
ga-jok-jo-cha mol-la-sseo-yo
Even my own family didn't know.
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even what happens by itself
숨 쉬는 것조차 힘들었어요.
sum swi-neun geot-jo-cha him-deu-reo-sseo-yo
Even breathing was hard.
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even what only happens in your head
상상조차 못 했어요.
sang-sang-jo-cha mot hae-sseo-yo
I couldn't even imagine it.