“〜tari tomo 〜nai”: Not Even a Single 〜 [JLPT N1]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

「一秒たりとも無駄にしない」「一円たりとも払わない」 — stressing that not even the smallest unit allows an exception.

“〜tari tomo 〜nai”: Not Even a Single 〜

「(一 ＋ counter) ＋ たりとも〜ない」 means “not even a single 〜, not allowing even one 〜” — taking the smallest unit (one, one second, one day, one yen) as an example, stressing that even the smallest degree absolutely allows no exception, an extremely strong, total negation. E.g. 「一秒たりとも無駄にしない」 (I won't waste even a second), 「一円たりとも払わない」 (I won't pay even one yen), 「一日たりとも休めない」 (I can't rest even a single day). It precedes ‘一 ＋ counter,' takes a negative, and expresses an ‘absolute, without exception' resolve or rule. A formal, written, solemn expression.

🧠 Core nuance: not even the smallest unit allowed, stressing no exception

The core is not allowing even the smallest unit, stressing a total, thorough negation: using ‘一 ＋ counter (one, one second, one day, one yen, one step)' to cite the smallest degree, expressing ‘not even this smallest …, let alone more' (won't waste even a second, won't pay even a yen, won't let down even a moment). It stresses an attitude of no exception, absolute, often a resolve, rule, or prohibition. ⚠️ What precedes must be ‘一 ＋ counter' (一日たりとも, 一円たりとも, 一瞬たりとも), nothing else; what follows is a negative (〜ない, 許されない, できない). It's stronger and more solemn than 「〜も〜ない」 (written, formal). ⚠️ 「たりとも」 derives from classical Japanese, with a solemn, intense color, suited to formal declarations, rules, resolves.

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• 締め切りまで、一日たりとも無駄にできない。(Until the deadline, I can't waste even a single day.) — strong negation
• 一瞬たりとも油断は許されない緊張した場面だ。(It's a tense scene where not even a moment's lapse is allowed.) — no exception
• 約束したお金は、一円たりとも返さない。(The money agreed on, I won't return even one yen.) — resolve
• 試合中は、一秒たりとも気を抜けない。(During the match, you can't let down even a second.) — rule/attitude
• 一歩たりとも引き下がるつもりはない。(I have no intention of backing down even a single step.) — absolute resolve

🔄 Compare: たりとも〜ない vs も〜ない vs すら〜ない vs として〜ない

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. Preceded by 一 ＋ counter: たりとも precedes ‘一 ＋ counter' (一日, 一円, 一瞬, ✗ verb/adjective).
2. Followed by a negative: たりとも is always followed by a negative (〜ない, 許されない, できない).
3. Stronger than も: たりとも is stronger and more solemn than ‘一〜も〜ない' (written, formal).
4. Solemn formal: used in declarations, rules, resolves and other formal settings.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

たりとも〜ない means “not even a single 〜, not allowing even one 〜,” taking the smallest unit (one, one second, one day, one yen) as an example, stressing that even the smallest degree absolutely allows no exception, an extremely strong, solemn total negation. It precedes ‘一 ＋ counter,' takes a negative, and expresses an absolute, no-exception resolve or rule. ⚠️ Stronger and more solemnly formal than ‘一〜も〜ない.' Common in declarations, rules, resolves, and formal/written settings. A must at N1.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• High-frequency N1: 一 ＋ counter ＋ たりとも〜ない = not even a single 〜 (smallest unit, extremely strong, solemn); followed by a negative.
• Connection: precedes ‘一 ＋ counter' (一日, 一円, 一瞬); followed by a negative (許されない, できない).
• Distinction: たりとも〜ない (extremely strong, solemn) vs 一〜も〜ない (more general, slightly weaker).

🖊️ 練習題（5題）

Q1. 「締め切りまで、一日___無駄にできない。」（連一天都不能浪費）

(A) たりとも　(B) だけに　(C) ばかり　(D) こそ

Q2. 「一瞬___油断は許されない。」（連一瞬都不容鬆懈）

(A) たりとも　(B) どころか　(C) ながら　(D) として

Q3. 「一円たりとも無駄にできない」の意味は?

(A) 連一塊錢都不能浪費（強烈否定）

(B) 浪費一點錢沒關係

(C) 只浪費一塊錢

(D) 錢可以隨便花

Q4. 「たりとも〜ない」の語感として正しいのは?

(A) 極強烈的全面否定，正式・書面

(B) 輕鬆的口語

(C) 表示肯定

(D) 表示疑問

Q5. 「たりとも」の前に最も来やすいのは?

(A) 一＋助數詞（一日・一円・一瞬）　(B) 動詞て形

(C) い形容詞　(D) 疑問詞ばかり

答案解析

1. (A) たりとも ── 一日たりとも〜ない＝連一天都不。

2. (A) たりとも ── 一瞬たりとも〜ない＝連一瞬都不。

3. (A) ── 連一塊錢都不能浪費(強烈否定)。

4. (A) ── 極強烈全面否定,正式書面。

5. (A) ── 多接「一＋助數詞」。