Siquiera vs Hasta

[jemenake]

I've seen cases where "hasta" is used where, in English, we would say "not even", for example:

Even the cook didn't know how to cook the fish
Hasta el cocinero no sabia cocinar el pescado

But it seems like "siquiera" is more common:

Ni siquiera el cocinero no sabia cocinar...

But it's not quite clear to me if there are certain times when one is more preferred than the other. Anybody have any advice?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I wouldn't use "hasta" in a negative sentence. "Not even" in your sentence can only be translated into "ni (siquiera)", I think.

- Hasta el cocinero ignoraba cómo preparar el pescado. (My suggestion if you wish to use "hasta")
- Tampoco el cocinero sabía cómo preparar el pescado. (Another possibility, if it has already been mentioned that nobody knew how to cook the fish.)
- Ni (siquiera) el cocinero sabía cómo preparar el pescado.