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まで・さえ: the difference

Meaning

Even, To even, To the extent of

Past papers

Tested 3 times in past papers

Example

こっちまでイライラしてきた。

Now even I'm starting to get annoyed.

Meaning

Even

Past papers

Tested 2 times in past papers

Example

富士山ふじさんの頂上ちょうじょうは夏なつでさえ寒さむい。

It is cold on the summit of Mt. Fuji even in summer.

How to tell them apart

This is not the 「まで」 of 'until': 「5時まで働く」 means 'work until 5'.

「さえ」 names the bare minimum, usually with a negative: 「ひらがなさえ読めない」 (can't even read hiragana).

「でも」 names an easy example: 「子供でもわかる」 (even a child understands).

All about まで ›All about さえ ›