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なりとも・たりとも~ない: the difference

Meaning

Even

Past papers

Not yet

Example

一言ひとことなりとも、あなたの気持きもちを聞きかせてくれませんか。

Wouldn’t you let me hear at least a word about how you feel?

Meaning

Not even one, Not a single, No

Past papers

Not yet

Example

人間にんげんは酸素さんそなしには1日いちにちたりとも生いきられない。

Humans can not live even one day without oxygen.

How to tell them apart

「なりとも」: followed by a positive wish or request ('even a little, please let me ...'); very refined.

「でも」: modern everyday style, plain, as in 「お茶でも飲もう」.

「〜たりとも〜ない」: must be followed by a flat negative ('not even a bit'); it cannot make a request.

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