Explanation

Expression used to emphasize that something is beyond expectation or not even worth considering.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• Verb in negative form + はおろか

  勉強するのが苦手で、はおろか試験に合格するのは無理だ。 (He is not only bad at studying, but it is even beyond imagination that he could pass the exam.)

• Noun + はおろか

  料理が下手で、はおろかレストランを経営するなんて無理だ。 (Not only is he bad at cooking, but it is beyond imagination for him to run a restaurant.)

Example Sentences

• 彼は勉強するのが苦手で、はおろか試験に合格するのは無理だ。

  He is not only bad at studying, but it is even beyond imagination that he could pass the exam.

  かれはべんきょうするのがにがてで、はおろかしけんにごうかくするのはむりだ。

  Kare wa benkyou suru no ga nigate de, waoroka shiken ni goukaku suru no wa muri da.

  Pronunciation

• 早く家に帰りたいのに、はおろか電車が遅れていてイライラする。

  I want to go back home quickly, but not only is the train delayed, making me even more frustrated.

  はやくいえにかえりたいのに、はおろかでんしゃがおくれていていらいらする。

  Hayaku ie ni kaeritai noni, waoroka densha ga okurete ite iraira suru.

  Pronunciation

• 彼は音楽が全くわからない。はおろか楽器の演奏もできない。

  He has no understanding of music at all, and not to mention playing a musical instrument.

  かれはおんがくがまったくわからない。はおろかがっきのえんそうもできない。

  Kare wa ongaku ga mattaku wakaranai. Waoroka gakki no ensou mo dekinai.

  Pronunciation

• 彼女は美術に詳しいだけでなく、はおろか自分で素晴らしい絵を描ける。

  She is not only knowledgeable about art, but she can even create wonderful paintings on her own.

  かのじょはびじゅつにくわしいだけでなく、はほろかじぶんですばらしいえをかける。

  Kanojo wa bijutsu ni kuwashii dake de naku, waoroka jibun de subarashii e o kakeru.

  Pronunciation

• 彼は料理が下手で、はおろかレストランを経営するなんて無理だ。

  Not only is he bad at cooking, but it is beyond imagination for him to run a restaurant.

  かれはりょうりがへたで、はおろかれすとらんをけいえいするなんてむりだ。

  Kare wa ryouri ga heta de, waoroka resutoran o keiei suru nante muri da.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• と言っても (to ittemo) - (N1)
  - While both はおろか (waoroka) and と言っても (to ittemo) indicate that something surpasses expectations, はおろか (waoroka) highlights extreme unexpectedness, while と言っても (to ittemo) emphasizes the speaker's intention or understanding.
• なおさら (naosara) - (N1)
  - Both はおろか (waoroka) and なおさら (naosara) express that something is even more extreme or unexpected than expected. However, はおろか (waoroka) focuses on the unexpectedness itself, while なおさら (naosara) emphasizes the increase in intensity.
• どころか (dokoroka) - (N2 - N1)
  - Both はおろか (waoroka) and どころか (dokoroka) express unexpectedness. However, はおろか (waoroka) highlights extreme unexpectedness, while どころか (dokoroka) indicates a contrast. どころか (dokoroka) emphasizes that the actual situation is the opposite or completely different from what is expected.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 勉強する (べんきょうする)to studyPronunciation
• * 苦手 (にがて)weak, poor atPronunciation
• * 試験 (しけん)examPronunciation
• * 合格する (ごうかくする)to pass (an exam)Pronunciation
• * 無理 (むり)impossiblePronunciation
• * 早く (はやく)quicklyPronunciation
• * 家 (いえ)home, housePronunciation
• * 帰りたい (かえりたい)want to go backPronunciation
• * 電車 (でんしゃ)trainPronunciation
• * 遅れる (おくれる)to be delayedPronunciation
• * イライラする (いらいらする)to get frustrated, irritatedPronunciation
• * 音楽 (おんがく)musicPronunciation
• * 全く (まったく)completely, entirelyPronunciation
• * わからない (わからない)do not understandPronunciation
• * 楽器 (がっき)musical instrumentPronunciation
• * 演奏 (えんそう)performance, playing (a musical instrument)Pronunciation
• * 自分 (じぶん)oneselfPronunciation
• * 素晴らしい (すばらしい)wonderful, greatPronunciation
• * 絵 (え)paintingPronunciation
• * 描く (かく)to draw, to paintPronunciation
• * 料理 (りょうり)cooking, cuisinePronunciation
• * 下手 (へた)bad at, poor atPronunciation
• * レストラン (れすとらん)restaurantPronunciation
• * 経営する (けいえいする)to manage, to runPronunciation

Quiz

What does 'はおろか (waoroka)' express?

• Emphasis on something unexpected
• Comparison between two things
• Indication of possession