〜なりとも (~nari tomo) — at least / even a little
'Not much — even just a little' — for humble wishes and requests. A stiff form.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
After an earthquake a notice for donations goes up at your company: 「わずかなりとも、被災地の力になりたい」— 'even if only a little, we want to help the affected areas.'
Meaning
- You can't do much, but at least a small amount — that humble 'at least this much' is the feeling of 「〜なりとも」.
- There is also the fixed 「どこへなりとも」(anywhere at all).
How to attach
- Straight after a 'small amount' word like 「多少・少し・わずか・一目・一口」
- A wish or request usually follows: 「〜たい」「〜てほしい」「〜ていただけませんか」「〜ば幸いです」.
Versus what you know
- It looks like the 「〜たりとも」at the start of this lesson, but it points the other way: 「たりとも」+ negative = 'not even one', 「なりとも」+ wish = 'even a little, please'.
- The meaning is close to 「せめて少しでも」, but 「なりとも」sounds stiffer and more polite.
Watch out
It is not used in a plain negative sentence — 「一円なりとも払わなかった」is wrong; that needs 「一円たりとも」.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
この本が、多少なりとも皆さんのお役に立てば幸いです。
このほんが、たしょうなりともみなさんのおやくにたてばさいわいです。
I would be glad if this book is of even a little help to you all.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) この本 = this book → 多少 = a little → 「なりとも」 = even if only a little → お役に立てば幸いです = I'd be glad if it helps (a humble wish).
帰国する前に、一目なりとも富士山を見ておきたい。
きこくするまえに、ひとめなりともふじさんをみておきたい。
Before going home, I want to catch even just a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 帰国する前に = before going home → 一目 = one glimpse → 「なりとも」 = even just a glimpse → 富士山を見ておきたい = I want to see Mt. Fuji (a wish).
お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、少しなりともお時間をいただけませんか。
おいそがしいところきょうしゅくですが、すこしなりともおじかんをいただけませんか。
I'm sorry to trouble you when you're busy, but could you spare me even a little time?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) お忙しいところ恐縮ですが = sorry to trouble you when you're busy → 少し = a little → 「なりとも」 = even a little → お時間をいただけませんか = could you give me some time (a request).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「＿＿なりとも、国の家族に仕送りを続けたい。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: A 'small amount' word, as it is.
少し + なりとも = even a little. 「少しも」goes with negatives; 「少ない」「少なく」are adjective forms and don't take なりとも.
Which sentence is unnatural?
💡 Hint: Does a wish/request follow, or a plain negative?
なりとも is followed by a wish or request. For 'didn't pay a single yen', say 「一円たりとも払わなかった」.
「先生、一言＿＿＿アドバイスをいただけませんか。」— which fits?
💡 Hint: A polite request follows — 'even just a word'.
一言なりとも〜いただけませんか = please give me advice, even just a word. たりとも only goes with negatives, にして means 'only at', and すら means 'even' — none fit a request.
Your score: /3