1.
much less; let alone; to say nothing of
Used to introduce a more extreme case after stating something already difficult or unlikely. Implies 'if X is already the case, then Y is even more so.' Often appears in negative sentences meaning 'let alone.'
Even reading and writing modern Japanese is hard, let alone classical Japanese.
Conjunctive adverb used to escalate an argument. The structure is typically: 'A is already X. ましてや B is even more X.' The first clause establishes a baseline that is already extreme, and ましてや introduces something even further along that scale. Slightly formal; common in written arguments, speeches, and logical reasoning.
Common patterns
- [easier/lesser case] + already X。ましてや + [harder/greater case] + even more X
- Often paired with negative endings: ～はずがない, ～わけがない, ～無理だ
Similar words
- まして: let alone — shorter form, slightly less emphatic
- なおさら: all the more — emphasizes the strengthened degree, less contrastive
- いわんや: needless to say — classical/literary equivalent, very formal