조차/마저 vs 까지

Intermediate · TOPIK II

조차, 마저 and 까지 can all translate as 'even'. 까지 is neutral and works for good or bad situations; 조차 stresses that not even the bare minimum happened; 마저 means 'even the last remaining one' was lost too.

조차, 마저A postpositional particle to indicate an inclusion of extreme cases that are generally hard to predict.부터, 까지A postpositional particle that indicates the start or beginning of something.

Rules of thumb

Positive situations, adding something good (선물까지 줬어요 'even gave me a present'): only 까지.
조차 mostly appears with negatives or bad outcomes — 'not even the most basic thing' (이름조차 몰라요 'I don't even know their name').
마저 stresses that the last thing left was also lost or affected (마지막 희망마저 사라졌어요).
조차 and 마저 aren't used in commands or suggestions.
까지 also means 'until / up to' (time or place); 조차/마저 don't.

Example sentences

조차, 마저
I was so busy I couldn't even drink water.
부터, 까지
My friend bought me dinner and even gave me a present.
친구가 밥도 사 주고 선물조차 줬어요.
Incorrect
My friend bought me dinner and even gave me a present. [Wrong: it's a positive situation, so use 'kkaji', not 'jocha']
조차, 마저
Even my last hope is gone.
부터, 까지
It's raining, and on top of that it's windy.

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