Same form after any noun: 이름조차 · 물조차 · (+ usually a negative)
even (usually negative: not even …)
Example
너무 바빠서 점심조차 못 먹었어요.
I was so busy I couldn't even eat lunch.
Word parts
Native particle that points to the most basic thing you'd expect — and says even that didn't happen.
Good to know
Mostly with negatives or bad situations: 이름조차 몰라요 'I don't even know the name.' For a positive 'even', use 도 or 까지.
Related words