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なりとも
N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
nari tomo
at least; even just a little
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🃏 Flashcard
なりとも
nari tomo
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at least; even just a little
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading nari tomo
Post ID 51290
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

at least; even just a little

📖 How to use it

A formal, often written pattern meaning 'at least' or 'even just a little,' used to soften a request or suggestion.

Attaches to Attaches to the dictionary form of verbs, the stem of i-adjectives, the stem of na-adjectives, or directly to nouns. For nouns, it follows the noun directly (e.g., 電話なりとも).

なりとも is a classical-sounding particle combination that carries the nuance of 'even something as small as X' or 'at least X.' It is used to propose a minimal amount or degree as a polite, hedged suggestion. For example, you might say 'お茶なりとも' to mean 'even just some tea.' In modern Japanese, it appears mainly in formal writing, speeches, or ceremonial contexts rather than everyday conversation. In casual speech, people prefer 'でも' or 'だけでも.' When used with verbs, it often appears in the form '~しなりとも' or '~するなりとも,' but the pattern is not productive in ordinary speech; you'll most often see fixed expressions like '少しなりとも' (even a little). Note that the meaning is 'at least' but with a sense of modesty—it suggests that even the minimum would be appreciated.

お忙しいでしょうが、一度なりともご検討いただけますようお願い申し上げます。
O-isogashii deshou ga, ichido nari tomo go-kentou itadakemasu you onegai moushiagemasu.
I know you are busy, but I humbly ask that you consider it at least once.
ご都合がよろしければ、お電話なりともいただければ幸いです。
Go-tsugou ga yoroshikereba, o-denwa nari tomo itadakereba saiwai desu.
If it is convenient, I would be grateful if you could give me a call, even just a brief one.
この件について、少しなりともお力になれればと思います。
Kono ken ni tsuite, sukoshi nari tomo o-chikara ni narereba to omoimasu.
Regarding this matter, I hope I can be of some help, even if only a little.
Not でも (as in 一度でも, 少しでも) なりとも is formal and often used in written requests or speeches; でも is neutral and common in both speech and writing. Also, なりとも attaches to nouns directly without a particle, whereas でも follows nouns with no change (e.g., 電話でも vs. 電話なりとも). In casual conversation, でも is the natural choice.
Register Formal and literary; used in written language, formal speeches, or polite requests, not in everyday conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
なりとも
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat なりとも three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using なりとも. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern なりとも mean? ▼
At least; even just a little
What JLPT level is なりとも? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use なりとも in a sentence? ▼
Attach なりとも (nari tomo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is なりとも formal or casual Japanese? ▼
なりとも is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember なりとも long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.