まして

expression, adverb

still more; even more; let alone

Used in affirmative contexts to emphasize that something applies even more strongly to a second case. Often follows a clause or noun marked with は or も.

• 大人おとなでも難むずかしいのに、まして子こ供どもには無む理りだ。

  It's difficult even for adults, let alone children.

• 普ふ段だんでも大たい変へんなのに、まして今日きょうは人ひと手でが足たりない。

  It's tough even on a normal day, and even more so today with the staff shortage.

expression, adverb

still less; much less

Used with a negative verb to mean that something is even less likely or possible. Often follows a negative statement and introduces a stronger negative case.

• 彼かれは簡かん単たんな計けい算さんもできない。まして複ふく雑ざつな問もん題だいは解とけない。

  He can't even do simple calculations, much less solve complex problems.

• 日本にほん語ごも話はなせないのに、まして英えい語ごなんて話はなせるわけがない。

  I can't even speak Japanese, so there's no way I can speak English, still less.