은커녕 after a consonant (밥은커녕) · 는커녕 after a vowel (커피는커녕) · + 도/조차 + negative
let alone, far from (… not even)
Example
바빠서 밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨어요.
I was so busy I couldn't even drink water, let alone eat.
Word parts
은/는 (topic) + 커녕 'far from it': 'as for X — forget it'.
Good to know
The second half usually has 도/조차 + a negative, or 만 for an unwanted result: 칭찬은커녕 잔소리만 들었어요 'Far from being praised, I just got nagged.'
Related words