조차 (jo-cha, jocha)
조차 (jocha) is a particle used to emphasize negation or unexpected situations in Korean.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
'조차' is a particle meaning 'even' or 'not even', emphasizing inclusion or exclusion without exception.
When to use
emphasis, negative sentences, expressing unexpected situations
The nuance
'조차' attaches to a noun to emphasize that even that noun is included or excluded, often in negative or unexpected contexts. It is used as '~조차'. Example: 'He didn't even eat rice.'
그는 밥조차 먹지 않았다.
geu-neun bap-jo-cha meok-ji an-ass-da., geu neun bap jo cha meok ji an ass da.
'조차' follows noun '밥' to emphasize negation.
나조차 그 사실을 몰랐다.
na-jo-cha geu sa-sil-eul mol-rass-da., na jo cha geu sa sil eul mol rass da.
'조차' attached to subject '나' to emphasize unexpected situation.
그는 조차 밥을 먹었다.
geu-neun jo-cha bap-eul meok-eoss-da., geu neun jo cha bap eul meok eoss da.
'조차' must attach to a noun; here it incorrectly precedes the subject.
어제는 비가 와서 운동하조차 못 했다.
eo-je-neun bi-ga wa-seo un-dong-ha-jo-cha mos haess-da., eo je neun bi ga wa seo un dong ha jo cha mos haess da.
'조차' is a particle attaching to nouns, not verb stems; this is a grammatical error.
그 일은 나에게도 어려웠다. 친구는 말할 조차 없었다.
geu il-eun na-e-ge-do eo-ryeo-woss-da. chin-gu-neun mal-hal jo-cha eop-eoss-da., geu il eun na e ge do eo ryeo woss da. chin gu neun mal hal jo cha eop eoss da.
'조차' attaches to the nominalized phrase '말할' to emphasize negation.
그녀는 휴식할 시간조차 없었다.
geu-nyeo-neun hyu-sik-hal si-gan-jo-cha eop-eoss-da., geu nyeo neun hyu sik hal si gan jo cha eop eoss da.
'조차' attaches to noun '시간' to emphasize extreme negation.
In which situation is '조차' mainly used?
Which sentence uses '조차' correctly?
To which part of speech does '조차' mainly attach?
