顶多
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
顶多 is used to estimate the highest possible degree or amount, meaning 'at most' or 'at the very most'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
顶多 is an adverb used to express an estimate of the upper limit of a quantity, degree, or situation, implying that the actual figure will not exceed this level. It is equivalent to "at most," "at best," or "no more than." Commonly used in spoken language, with a slightly casual, matter-of-fact tone.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这件衣服顶多一百块。繁: 這件衣服頂多一百塊。Zhè jiàn yīfu dǐngduō yìbǎi kuài.
This garment costs at most one hundred yuan.
- 从这里到学校顶多十分钟。繁: 從這裡到學校頂多十分鐘。Cóng zhèlǐ dào xuéxiào dǐngduō shí fēnzhōng.
From here to school is at most ten minutes.
- 他顶多能喝两瓶啤酒。繁: 他頂多能喝兩瓶啤酒。Tā dǐngduō néng hē liǎng píng píjiǔ.
He can drink at most two bottles of beer.
- 这次考试我顶多得八十分。繁: 這次考試我頂多得八十分。Zhè cì kǎoshì wǒ dǐngduō dé bāshí fēn.
The most I got on this exam was eighty points.
- 我迟到了，顶多被老板骂一顿。繁: 我遲到了，頂多被老闆罵一頓。Wǒ chídào le, dǐngduō bèi lǎobǎn mà yí dùn.
I'm late, at worst I'll just get scolded by my boss.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他喝两瓶啤酒顶多。Correct:他顶多喝两瓶啤酒。
顶多 is an adverb that must precede the verb or quantity it modifies; it cannot stand at the end of a sentence.
- Wrong:这本书顶多很贵。Correct:这本书顶多一百块钱。
顶多 usually goes with specific quantities and does not go with degree adjectives like 很贵 (very expensive).