N1 Addition and Emphasis (Particles)

~たりとも: meaning, usage and examples

~たりとも means: not even... / not... a single... (used with negatives).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 試験中しけんちゅうは、一瞬いっしゅんたりとも油断ゆだんしてはならない。

   During the exam, you must not let your guard down for even a moment.

2. この件けんは、一刻いっこくたりとも無駄むだにはできない。

   We cannot waste even a single moment on this matter.

3. 警備けいび員いんは、不審ふしん者しゃを一人ひとりたりとも通とおさなかった。

   The guards did not let a single suspicious person through.

4. 選手せんしゅたちは、試合しあい終了しゅうりょうまで一いち秒びょうたりとも気きを抜ぬかなかった。

   The players didn't let up for a single second until the end of the match.

When to use it

Means "not even one": not a single yen, not one moment, not one person. It attaches to the smallest unit and is followed by a negative or a prohibition. Example: 一日いちにちたりとも休やすまなかった (I did not take a single day off). Often used for strong resolve or strict rules.

Nuance

Formal and emphatic, common in speeches, rules, sports commentary and writing. Must be followed by a negative or prohibition (ない, てはならない, 許ゆるされない). Only with 一いち + counter, not with larger numbers.

Compare

～も after 一いち + counter is the everyday version: 一円いちえんも使つかわなかった. ～たりとも is more formal and forceful: 一いち円えんたりとも使つかわなかった. ～なりとも means "at least a little" and goes with positive wishes: 少すこしなりとも. Opposite directions despite the similar sound.

Tip: If you can say 一いち～も + negative, you can say 一いち～たりとも for extra force. Never use it with a positive verb.