조차/마저 in Korean: “even”
조차/마저
jocha/majeo
even
Intermediate · Particles
조차 (jocha) and 마저 (majeo) mean "even" and attach to a noun: 이름조차 몰라요 means "I don't even know their name." They are used for the most basic or last thing you would expect, usually in a negative or disappointing situation. They are stronger than 도.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (any ending) | + 조차 | 이름 → 이름조차, 물 → 물조차 |
| Noun (any ending) | + 마저 | 너 → 너마저, 바람 → 바람마저 |
How to use it
조차 means "not even the most basic thing": 물조차 못 마셨어요 (I couldn't even drink water). It is mostly used with negatives or bad news.
마저 means "even this last one too," often when things keep getting worse: 너마저 그렇게 생각해? (Even you think that way?).
Both sound more emphatic than 도 and are common in writing, news and emotional speech. In relaxed conversation, 도 is often used for the same idea.
Examples
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Talking about a stranger
Describing a hard day
Feeling let down by a friend
Complaining about the weather
Don’t mix it up with
도: 도 can also mean "even" (물도 안 마셨어요), but it is lighter and more everyday. 조차 and 마저 sound stronger.
까지: 까지 can mean "even" in good or bad situations (선물까지 줬어요, he even gave me a gift). 조차 and 마저 lean toward unwelcome situations.
Common mistakes
Using 조차 for something pleasant, as in 선물조차 줬어요. For a nice surprise, use 까지: 선물까지 줬어요.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 조차 and 마저?
조차 points to the most basic thing that did not happen. 마저 points to the last remaining thing being affected too. They often overlap, and both are mostly negative.
Is 조차 formal?
It sounds a bit strong and is common in writing, but it is fine in speech when you want emphasis.