Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

少なくとも (sukunakutomo) Japanese meaning: at least | Kotomora

少すくなくとも

す

く

な

く

と

も

Common word›JLPTN3›Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

Sets a minimum threshold or lower bound. Often used to soften a statement or to indicate that even a minimal condition holds.

少すくなくとも週しゅうに一いち度どは運うん動どうするようにしている。

I try to exercise at least once a week.

少すくなくとも彼かれは正しょう直じきだ。

At least he is honest.

Usage patterns

少すくなくとも〈数かず〉at least (a certain number/amount)
この仕し事ごとには少すくなくとも三みっ日かはかかる。
This job will take at least three days.
少すくなくとも〈事こと〉はat least (this much) is true, even if nothing else is
少すくなくとも彼かれが無む事じだということは分わかった。
At least we found out that he's safe.

Kanji

少few, little
尠at least, not a little

Related words

せめてN2
せめて conveys an emotional wish for a bare minimum ('I wish at least...'), while 少なくとも states a minimum threshold objectively.
最さい低てい限げんN1
最低限 is a noun-like term for the absolute minimum level, often used in formal or technical contexts, whereas 少なくとも is a flexible adverb for everyday statements.

Opposites

多おおくとも
多くとも means 'at most', setting an upper bound, the direct opposite of 少なくとも's lower bound.
高たか々だかN1
高々 sets an upper limit ('at most'), while 少なくとも sets a lower limit ('at least'), so they point in opposite directions on a scale.
せいぜいN3
少なくとも means 'at least' (a lower bound), the opposite of 精々's 'at most' (an upper bound).

Written forms

少すくなくとも
Standard modern spelling.
少すくなくとも
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely seen in modern writing.
尠すくなくとも
Rare variant using the non-jōyō kanji 尠.

Etymology

From the adverbial form of 少ない (すくない, 'few, little') + とも (concessive particle).