Grammar › N1 · 09 Emphasis and feeling

〜たりとも: not even one

N1 · 09 Emphasis and feeling

Emphasizes that not even the smallest amount is allowed or possible.

Counter noun with 一 + たりとも + negative: 一秒たりとも, 一円たりとも, 一人たりとも. Strong and formal. Always used with a negative verb. Compare 〜も, which is milder.

Examples

試験しけん中ちゅうは、一いち秒びょうたりとも無駄むだにできない。

During the exam you cannot waste even a single second.

この問題もんだいについて、一歩いっぽたりとも譲ゆずる気きはない。

I have no intention of giving way even one step on this issue.