〜すら／ですら: meaning and usage

How to form it

• noun+すら/ですら
• noun+に/と/で+すら
• verb (masu-stem)+すら+しない

How it is used

Gives an extreme example: 'even A', so the rest goes without saying; usually followed by a negative. More written and stiffer than 「さえ」. 「ですら」 often follows a person or the subject.

Examples

1. 兄ですら私の気持ちを理解してくれなかった。

   Not even my older brother understood my feelings.

2. 疲れていて、立っていることすらつらかった。

   I was so tired that even standing was hard.

3. 声をかけたが、彼は振り向きすらしなかった。

   I called out to him, but he didn't even turn around.