# はおろか: let alone; not to mention; needless to say ~ > Learn how to use はおろか, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning let alone; not to mention, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-wa-oroka/ **はおろか** means **let alone; not to mention; needless to say ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to say that if a more basic, easier, or expected thing is not possible, then a more difficult or greater thing is certainly out of the question. This grammar point often appears in formal writing, essays, speeches, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that something is so far beyond reach that even the prior step is impossible, **はおろか** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

When you can’t even do A, B is out of the question — はおろか tells you just how far out of reach something is.

## What does はおろか mean? Use **はおろか** when you want to express that if A (a lesser, simpler, or prerequisite thing) is impossible, then B (a greater, more difficult thing) is certainly impossible. Natural translations include: - let alone; not to mention; needless to say ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form はおろか

Noun + はおろか

Examples of the pattern: - 日本語(にっぽんご)はおろか - 挨拶(あいさつ)はおろか - 返事(へんじ)はおろか The word before **はおろか** must be a noun or noun phrase. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often try to attach it to a verb or adjective — don’t fall for that. ## When is はおろか used? Use **はおろか** in situations like: - expressing that something is so impossible that even a lesser thing can’t be done - emphasizing a strong contrast between expectation and reality - formal writing, complaints, or critical observations Tone and register: - formal; common in newspapers, editorials, and academic writing - carries a critical or emphatic tone ## はおろか example sentences

日本語にほんごはおろか、英語えいごすら話はなせない。

He can’t even speak English, let alone Japanese.

典型(てんけい)表現(ひょうげん)

挨拶あいさつはおろか、目めも合あわせなかった。

He didn’t even make eye contact, let alone greet me.

日常(にちじょう)・人間関係(にんげんかんけい)

返事へんじはおろか、既読きどくにもならない。

Not to mention a reply — I don’t even get a read receipt.

SNS

彼かれは漢字かんじはおろか、ひらがなも読よめない。

He can’t read hiragana, let alone kanji.

学習(がくしゅう)

食事しょくじはおろか、水みずさえ飲のむ時間じかんもなかった。

I didn’t even have time to drink water, let alone eat a meal.

忙し(いそがし)さ

After reading each sentence, ask what job **はおろか** is doing: it tells you that if even A isn’t possible, B is unquestionably impossible. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of はおろか The key nuance is **emphatic impossibility**. The speaker takes a minimal, reasonable expectation (A) and says it’s not met, so something much harder (B) is beyond hope. The tone is often critical, disappointed, or dramatic. This matters because learners sometimes try to use **はおろか** in positive or neutral contexts, where it doesn’t belong. The pattern is inherently negative — the thing before **はおろか** is what you *can’t* even do.

⚠️

Don’t use はおろか when you want to say “not to mention” in a positive sense. For that, use はもちろん (see comparison below).

## はおろか vs はもちろん Both **はおろか** and **はもちろん** can introduce something taken for granted, but they differ sharply in tone and polarity.

はおろか

negative context, “let alone”

Used when the lesser thing is impossible, so the greater thing is out of the question.

日本語(にっぽんご)はおろか、英語(えいご)すら話せ(はなせ)ない。

He can’t speak Japanese, let alone English.

はもちろん

positive context, “not to mention”

Used when A is a given and B is an even more obvious or natural extension.

日本語(にっぽんご)はもちろん、英語(えいご)も話せる(はなせる)。

He can speak English, not to mention Japanese.

If both translations seem possible, check whether the sentence is negative or positive. はおろか always lives in a negative world; はもちろん lives in a positive one. ## Common mistakes with はおろか Watch out for these mistakes: - **Using it in a positive sentence** — learners sometimes write ❌ 彼(かれ)は英語(えいご)はおろか、日本語(にっぽんご)も話せる(はなせる)。 That sounds contradictory. Instead, use はもちろん: ✅ 彼(かれ)は英語(えいご)はもちろん、日本語(にっぽんご)も話せる(はなせる)。 - **Attaching it to a verb or adjective** — はおろか needs a noun. ❌ 走る(はしる)はおろか、歩け(あるけ)なかった。 Change the verb to a noun phrase: ✅ 走る(はしる)ことはおろか、歩け(あるけ)なかった。 - **Forgetting the negative predicate** — the sentence must end with a negative ability or state. ❌ 食事(しょくじ)はおろか、水(みず)を飲ん(のん)だ。 Correct: ✅ 食事(しょくじ)はおろか、水(みず)すら飲め(のめ)なかった。 Write one sentence with **はおろか**, then rewrite it with **はもちろん**. Explain why only one fits — this habit builds strong intuition. ## Is はおろか on the JLPT? Yes. **はおろか** is commonly taught as **JLPT N1** grammar.

✅ Recognition — appears in reading sections

✅ Nuance — questions often test the negative polarity

✅ Usage — expected in sentence formation exercises

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding negative context, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for はおろか Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

1 Think of a skill you have barely mastered. Use はおろか to say you can’t do an advanced form, let alone the basic form. N1 作文(さくぶん)

2 Describe a time you were so busy that even a simple task was impossible. Start with 簡単(かんたん)な…はおろか. 日常(にちじょう)

3 Compare はおろか and はもちろん by writing two sentences about language ability — one negative, one positive. 比較(ひかく)

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for はおろか To learn **はおろか** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

Memorize the structure: Noun + はおろか. Drill it with at least five nouns until you can produce it without thinking.

Compare with 〜は and はもちろん. Write two parallel sentences — one negative, one positive — and explain the difference aloud.

Practice with authentic materials: find a news sentence containing はおろか, then rewrite it using はもちろん. Feel the shift in polarity.

## Related grammar to review next - [〜はどうであれ](/blog/n1-wa-dou-de-are/) — because it also uses は to set up a contrast between two possibilities - [〜はさておき](/blog/n1-wa-sateoki/) — because it also marks a topic as set aside or taken for granted - [〜はそっちのけで](/blog/n1-wa-socchinoke-de-o-socchinoke-de/) — because it also uses は to highlight something that is neglected - [〜は](/blog/n1-wa/) — because it shares the contrastive function of the particle は ## Learn はおろか with Hane If you want to review **はおろか** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)