〜たりとも〜ない

Meaning

Used to emphasize that even the smallest amount or the least possible instance of something is not allowed or does not happen.

Formation

Examples

1. 試験まであと１週間。今は１日たりとも無駄にできない。
   There is one week left until the exam. I can't afford to waste even a single day right now.

2. あの日の出来事は今まで１日たりとも忘れたことがない。
   I haven't forgotten that event even for a single day until now.

3. 試合が終わるまで、１秒たりとも気を抜いてはならない。
   You must not let your guard down even for a single second until the game is over.

4. １分たりとも遅刻は許しません。
   I will not tolerate being late even by a single minute.

5. 試合が終わるまで、何が起こるかわからないので、一瞬たりとも油断はできない。
   You can't afford to be careless even for a moment until the game is over because you never know what might happen.

Summary

• 〜たりとも〜ない means "not even one ~ ; not even a single ~ "
• Formation: 名詞 → 名詞 助数詞 + たりとも
• This is an N1-level grammar pattern