Definition
最少 is an adverb/adjective phrase meaning 'the least' or 'at least'. As an adverb, it sets a minimum quantity or condition (e.g., 最少要三个人 'at least three people needed'). As an adjective, it modifies a noun to indicate the smallest amount (e.g., 最少的钱 'the least money'). Note that the English gloss 'at least' overlaps with 至少 (zhìshǎo), which is more common for that sense; 最少 emphasizes the superlative 'least' more directly.
v.p.
(adv.) at leastno less than(adj.) the leastminimum
Examples
- 最少。Nǐ zuì shǎo yào zhǔnbèi sān tiān de shíwù.You need to prepare at least three days' worth of food.
- 最少。Zhè cì kǎoshì tā cuò de tí zuì shǎo.He got the fewest questions wrong on this exam.
- 最少。Wánchéng zhège xiàngmù zuì shǎo xūyào liǎng gè yuè.Completing this project will take at least two months.
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