はおろかLet alone; not to mention
はおろか presents A as already out of the question, then extends the statement to B, which is even more basic or otherwise more striking. With a negative ending, it commonly means “not even B, let alone A.”
Build the scale from A to B
The key is not simple addition but a scale. Under negation, A is the harder or less likely achievement, while B is the easier, more basic expectation that also fails. Japanese gives A first, followed by はおろか; natural English often mentions B first.
A basic expectation also fails
彼は漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ読めない。
He cannot even read hiragana, let alone kanji.
AnalyzeReading kanji is A, the harder ability. Reading hiragana is B, the more basic ability that also fails.
The same scale with cost
今の収入では、高級料理はおろか、普通の弁当さえ買えない。
On my current income, I cannot even afford an ordinary boxed lunch, let alone gourmet food.
AnalyzeGourmet food is clearly beyond reach, and the statement goes further: even an ordinary lunch is unaffordable.
Positive escalation
はおろか can also occur with a positive ending. In that use, B must be a genuinely broader or more remarkable case, not merely a second item in a flat list.
その作家は国内はおろか、海外でも広く知られている。
That author is widely known not only at home but even overseas.
AnalyzeRecognition within the author’s own country is the baseline; recognition overseas is the more remarkable extension.
Not every strong addition uses the same scale
ばかりか broadly adds a stronger B, without necessarily presenting A as out of the question. はもちろん and its more formal counterpart はもとより treat A as an obvious positive baseline. By contrast, はおろか creates a sharper “let alone” relationship.
More examples
この部屋には机はおろか、椅子さえない。
This room does not even have a chair, let alone a desk.
Analyze忙しくて、海外旅行はおろか、近所の散歩さえできない。
I am so busy that I cannot even take a walk around the neighborhood, let alone travel abroad.
Analyze台風の影響で、飛行機はおろか、電車も動かなかった。
Because of the typhoon, even the trains stopped running, let alone the flights.
Analyzeその規則は新人はおろか、部長さえ知らなかった。
Even the department manager did not know the rule, let alone the new employees.
Analyze彼は英語はおろか、フランス語も流暢に話す。
He speaks not only English but even French fluently.
Analyzeその研究は国内はおろか、海外でも高く評価されている。
The research is highly regarded not only domestically but overseas as well.
Analyze