also: なんぴとも · なんびとも
Used in affirmative or rhetorical contexts to mean 'any person' or 'every person'. Often appears in statements about rules, rights, or universal truths.
See also: 何人
何人も法律の下に平等である。
Everyone is equal under the law.
何人もこの部屋に入ってはいけない。
No one may enter this room.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'nobody' or 'no one'. The negative construction is essential.
何人もその決定に逆らえなかった。
No one could defy the decision.
Most common reading for this kanji form in modern Japanese.
Alternate reading; less common than なんぴとも but still encountered.
Rare reading; mostly found in older or formal texts.
Compound of 何 (what, which) + 人 (person) + も (inclusive particle). The reading なんぴとも is a sound change from なんびとも, which itself derives from なにびとも.