またとない

ま

た

と

な

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

expression

unique; matchless; unparalleled; never again

usually written using kana alone

Used to describe something so exceptional that it is unlikely to occur again. Often modifies nouns like 機会 (opportunity) or 幸運 (good fortune). The literal meaning is 'there is not a second time'.

これはまたとないチャンスだ。
This is a unique opportunity.

彼かれはまたとない才さい能のうの持もち主ぬしだ。

He has unparalleled talent.

またとない幸こう運うんに恵めぐまれた。

I was blessed with matchless good fortune.

Written forms

又またとない
Kanji form using 又. Less common but still encountered.
またと無ない
Mixed kanji-kana form. Acceptable but less frequent than the pure kana form.
又またと無ない
Full kanji form. Rarely used in modern writing.

Kanji

又or again, furthermore, on the other hand
無nothingness, none, ain't

Similar words

二に度どとない
Similar meaning but emphasizes that something will not happen a second time, often used in warnings or negative contexts. またとない focuses on the exceptional quality of the present opportunity or thing.
唯ゆい一いつ無む二に
A more formal, four-character compound meaning 'one and only'. またとない is more colloquial and often implies a fleeting, unrepeatable chance.

Etymology

Derived from the adverb また (again) + the particle と + the negative form of ある (to exist), literally meaning 'there is not a second time'. The phrase grammaticalized into a fixed expression meaning 'unparalleled' or 'never again'.