Marks something as insignificant, unworthy, or taken lightly. など is neutral to formal; なんか is colloquial and often derogatory; なんて is colloquial and can express surprise, disbelief, or emotional emphasis beyond belittling. All three can also simply mean 'and the like / etc.' as a listing particle, but the emphatic/derogatory use is what connects them to this category. When used for emotional emphasis, なんて is often paired with evaluative predicates (信じられない, ひどい, すごい).

Two main uses: (1) minimum threshold — 'at least ~' (お礼の電話くらい = 'at least a thank-you call'), often with a tone that doing this much is expected or trivial; (2) degree — 'to the extent that ~' (立てないくらい疲れた = 'so tired I can't stand'), describing how extreme a state is. In degree use, it is more colloquial than ほど. The は particle can be added for emphasis (くらいは). Can also express that something is so trivial it barely deserves mention.

Emphasizes that the marked noun is precisely the right or expected thing. Common in resolutions (来年こそ), humble greetings (こちらこそ), and assertions (努力こそ). Replaces or strengthens は in topic position — こそ singles out the noun as 'the very one'. More emphatic than は alone. Cannot attach directly to verbs; for verbal emphasis, use 〜てこそ.

Marks an extreme example — 'even X' — implying if X holds, other cases are even more certain. The focus is on a surprising minimum. Often used with negative predicates (さえ〜ない = 'not even X'). でさえ is the variant for explicit noun attachment. Closely related to すら (more formal/literary, N1) and まで (extreme extent rather than surprising minimum). For さえ〜ば ('if only X'), see conditional usage.

Indicates an extreme extent — the situation extends all the way to the marked element. Unlike さえ (which picks a surprising minimum), まで extends the range outward to include an extreme case. Often used with に to mark an unexpected agent (Nにまで). The sense is 'it went as far as X'. Compare: さえ focuses on 'even the least expected case'; まで focuses on 'extending to the extreme case'.

Expresses that V-ing is a necessary prerequisite for a meaningful result: 'only by V-ing can one truly ~'. The result clause often uses はじめて or describes an essential outcome. Does not merely mean 'because' — it carries the implication that without V, the result cannot be attained. Compare with 〜こそ: こそ emphasizes nouns (N + こそ), while てこそ emphasizes a verbal action as prerequisite (V-て + こそ).

Indicates an extreme or excessive measure taken to achieve a goal. Often carries a negative evaluation — the measure is seen as going too far or involving sacrifice. までして makes the verbal action explicit and is structurally the noun-oriented variant with して (from する). Both forms express the same core meaning, but てまで is more directly attached to the verb. Compare with plain 〜まで which marks nouns (N + まで) rather than actions.

States a fundamental truth about the nature or essence of N. Used for general, almost philosophical observations about categories of things — not for specific instances. Often paired with 〜ものだ in the predicate for a double layer of generalization. The は is optional but adds a contrastive or topic-marking nuance. Common with abstract concepts: 人間, 習慣, 友情, 愛情, 人生.

Combined with the numeral 一 (one) plus a counter, this pattern strongly negates the existence of even a single instance: 'not even one ~'. The として here means 'as; in the capacity of'. Used with various counters: 一人として (not a single person), 一つとして (not a single thing), 一度として (not even once), 一台として (not a single machine). The predicate must be negative. Compare with the more formal/literary 〜たりとも〜ない (N1) which has an even stronger emphatic tone.

Minimizes the significance of an action. Two main uses: (1) V-辞書形 + までだ — expresses resolve or light dismissal: 'I'll just do V, that's all' / 'if not, I'll simply V'. Often used in if-then structures (〜ば / 〜たら / 〜なら + ... までだ). (2) V-た + までだ — explains that the action was nothing special: 'I merely did V'. The latter is often used to modestly deflect thanks or praise (e.g. 当然のことをしたまでです = 'I merely did what was natural'). Both convey that the action is not a big deal.

Literary and formal equivalent of さえ: 'even'. Used primarily in written Japanese and formal oratory. Often pairs with negative predicates for a weightier, more emphatic tone than さえ. ですら is the polite/formal variant. Key distinction: さえ is neutral and fits both speech and writing; すら feels distinctly written or rhetorical. In spoken conversation, すら can sound stiff or dramatic.

N1 あっての N2 means 'N2 exists or is only possible because of N1'. N1 is the indispensable foundation; N2 depends entirely on it. Word order is fixed: foundation (N1) first, dependent (N2) second. Often used in set phrases: 健康あっての仕事, お客様あっての商売, 信頼あっての友情. The emphasis is on the indispensability of N1 — without it, N2 cannot exist.

Emphasizes that the marked N is a special, exceptional, or prerequisite case: 'precisely because it is N' or 'only N can'. Often paired with はじめて to mean 'only N can do / only possible for N'. Distinct from the contrastive 〜にしては ('for a N, considering it is N', e.g. 子供にしては背が高い — 'tall for a child'). This entry covers the degree/emphasis sense where にして marks a remarkable or exclusive condition.

Both 〜極まる and 〜極まりない attach to na-adjective stems and express an extreme degree. Despite the negative form of 極まりない, both mean exactly the same thing: 'extremely ~'. Used in formal and written contexts. Common with evaluative adjectives: 失礼極まりない (extremely rude), 迷惑極まる (the height of nuisance), 危険極まりない (utterly dangerous). Do not attach to i-adjectives or verbs.

Strongly negates even the smallest unit or slightest instance: 'not even one ~'. More emphatic and literary than 〜として〜ない. The たり is an archaic emphatic particle; とも means 'even if'. The combination creates an absolute, uncompromising negation. Typical in formal pronouncements, solemn vows, dramatic written statements, and historical or political rhetoric. Common counters: 一分たりとも (not even a minute), 一人たりとも (not a single person), 一度たりとも (not even once).