ましてや

expression, adverb

much less; let alone; to say nothing of

Used to emphasize that if something is true for a stronger case, it is even more true for a weaker one. Often follows a negative or hypothetical statement.

• 彼かれは簡かん単たんな漢かん字じも読よめない。ましてや新しん聞ぶんなんて読よめるはずがない。

  He can't even read simple kanji, much less a newspaper.

• 忙いそがしくて昼ちゅう食しょくをとる時じ間かんもない。ましてや休きゅう憩けいなどとれるわけがない。

  I'm so busy I don't even have time for lunch, let alone a break.