１～たりとも～ない
Not even one, Not a single, No (at all)
Structure
(1) Verb［な］
Explanation
The grammar point たりとも is used with negative expressions to strongly emphasize that there are absolutely no exceptions. It typically follows nouns or words that indicate a small quantity. Common translations are 'not even a single (A)' or 'not even one (A)'.
たりとも is formed from the auxiliary verb たり, which lists examples, and the conjunction particle とも, which sets an approximate limit. This combination creates the nuance of 'even taking (A) as just one example, not (B)', where 'not (B)' is supplied by the negative ending of the sentence.
- 留学生活は大変なので、一円たりとも無駄にできません。Studying abroad is tough, so I can't afford to waste even a single yen.
- これは会社の重要な秘密だから、一言たりとも外に漏らしてはいけない。This is an important company secret, so you must not leak a single word of it.
- 農家の方が一生懸命作ったお米だから、一粒たりとも残してはいけませんよ。The farmers worked hard to grow this rice, so you shouldn't leave even a single grain behind.
- ご迷惑をおかけしました。今後、一日たりとも遅れることはないと約束します。I apologize for the trouble. I promise that from now on, I will not be late, not even for a day.
Please note that たりとも carries a very formal and literary tone, making it unsuitable for everyday casual speech.
Fun Fact
A common fixed phrase you might encounter is 何人たりとも, which means 'absolutely no one' or 'no person whatsoever'. This set expression is arguably more common than other uses of たりとも.
- この大会のルールは絶対だ。何人たりとも例外は認められない。The rules of this tournament are absolute. No one will be granted an exception.
Examples
わたしの許可なく、貯金箱から一円たりとも使ってはなりません。
You are not allowed to use even one yen from your piggy bank without my permission.
警備員：「この先は立ち入り禁止です。一歩たりとも入ることは許しません。」
Security guard: 'This area is off-limits. I will not permit you to enter even one step further.'
これは極秘の情報だ。誰にも一言たりとも漏らしてはならない。
This is top-secret information. You must not leak even a single word to anyone.
映画のセリフ：「彼らの前では、涙は一滴たりとも見せるものか。」
Movie line: 'I will not show them even a single drop of my tears.'
大会の決勝戦では、一瞬たりとも油断することはできない。
In the tournament finals, you can’t let your guard down for even a single moment.
船長：「全員が無事に脱出するまで、一人たりともこの船に残していくわけにはいかない。」
Captain: 'There's no way I'm leaving even one person behind on this ship until everyone has safely escaped.'
この貴重な資料は、一冊たりとも図書館の外へ持ち出すことを禁じます。
Taking even a single volume of these precious materials outside of the library is forbidden.
顧客のデータは一文字たりとも外部に漏洩させてはならない。
You must not leak even a single character of customer data to the outside.
彼は完璧主義なので、納得のいかない作品は一枚たりとも世に出さない。
He is a perfectionist, so he won't release even a single piece of work to the public that he is not satisfied with.
厳しいダイエット中だから、ケーキは一口たりとも食べられません。
I'm on a strict diet, so I can’t eat even a single bite of cake.
司令官より：「弾薬は限られている。一発たりとも無駄に撃つな！」
From the commander: 'Ammunition is limited. Do not waste even a single shot!'
この部品の製造には精密さが求められる。１ミリたりとも誤差は許されない。
The manufacturing of this component requires precision. Not even a one-millimeter margin of error is permitted.
敵の残党は見つけ次第始末しろ。一匹たりとも生かしておくな。
Take care of the enemy remnants as soon as you find them. Do not let even one of them live.