至少
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The adverb 至少 is used to indicate a minimum degree or quantity, meaning 'at least' or 'at the very least'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The adverb 至少 (zhìshǎo) means "at least" or "at a minimum". It is used to express an estimate or requirement regarding the lowest possible degree or quantity. The position of 至少 is quite flexible, typically appearing before the verb or quantity phrase it modifies.
In addition, 至少 can also carry the meaning of "at least" in the sense of "at any rate", used to point out a positive aspect or a concession in a less-than-ideal situation.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这本书至少有两百页。繁: 這本書至少有兩百頁。Zhè běn shū zhìshǎo yǒu liǎng bǎi yè.
This book has at least two hundred pages.
- 你至少要等三十分钟。繁: 你至少要等三十分鐘。Nǐ zhìshǎo yào děng sānshí fēnzhōng.
You must wait at least thirty minutes.
- 他看起来至少四十岁了。繁: 他看起來至少四十歲了。Tā kàn qǐlái zhìshǎo sìshí suì le.
He looks at least forty years old.
- 这次会议至少会开两个小时。繁: 這次會議至少會開兩個小時。Zhè cì huìyì zhìshǎo huì kāi liǎng ge xiǎoshí.
This meeting will last at least two hours.
- 就算你不去，至少也该打个电话。繁: 就算你不去，至少也該打個電話。Jiùsuàn nǐ bù qù, zhìshǎo yě gāi dǎ ge diànhuà.
Even if you don't go, you should at least make a phone call.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我们等了三十分钟至少。Correct:我们至少等了三十分钟。
In Chinese, the adverb 至少 must precede the verb or verb phrase it modifies and cannot stand at the end of a sentence.