片へん言げん隻せき語ご

noun

a few words; a single word

Used in negative or minimal contexts to emphasize that not even a few words are spoken or written. Often appears in phrases like 片言隻語も漏らさない (not to utter a single word).

• 彼かれは秘ひ密みつについて片へん言げん隻せき語ごも語かたらなかった。

  He didn't say a single word about the secret.

• その手て紙がみには片へん言げん隻せき語ごの謝しゃ罪ざいもなかった。

  There wasn't even a word of apology in the letter.