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Formation: 一 + counter + たりとも + negative / prohibition; 何人（なんぴと）たりとも + negative

Stresses the smallest possible quantity, such as one yen, one moment or one person, to make a strong total denial: not even that much. It must go with a negative, a prohibition (〜てはならない, 〜な) or 〜許されない, and it expresses firm resolve, strictness or a stern warning. It is formal and slightly old-fashioned, typical of speeches, official statements and dramatic writing. 何人たりとも means 'no one whatsoever'. Compared with 〜すら and 〜さえ, which can mark any extreme example, たりとも is limited to these minimal quantities and is always negative.

Variants: 一瞬たりとも、一日たりとも、一円たりとも、何人たりとも

Examples

• 試合が終わるまで、一瞬たりとも気を抜くな。
  Don't let your guard down for even a moment until the match is over.
• 国民の税金は一円たりとも無駄にしてはならない。
  Not a single yen of taxpayers' money must be wasted.
• 何人たりともこの部屋への立ち入りは許されない。
  No one whatsoever is permitted to enter this room.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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