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最低限 (saiteigen) Japanese meaning: minimum | Kotomora

最さい低てい限げん

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Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

minimum; lowest limit

Refers to the absolute minimum amount, level, or standard required. Often used with の to modify nouns.

最さい低てい限げんの生せい活かつ費ひを確かく保ほする。

Secure the minimum living expenses.

最さい低てい限げんのルールは守まもってください。

Please follow the minimum rules.

2

at the very least; at minimum

Adverbial use indicating the least that should be done or expected. Often used with は or as a standalone adverb.

最さい低てい限げん、謝しゃ罪ざいは必ひつ要ようだ。
At the very least, an apology is necessary.
最さい低てい限げんこれだけは覚おぼえておいて。
At minimum, remember this much.

Usage patterns

最さい低てい限げんの〈物もの〉the bare minimum (amount/level) of something
最さい低てい限げんのルールは守まもってください。
Please observe at least the minimum rules.
最さい低てい限げん〈動どう詞し〉to do something at the very least
最さい低てい限げん、連れん絡らくだけはしてほしい。
I at least want you to keep in contact.
最さい低てい限げんは〈事こと〉as a bare minimum, at least (something) should hold
最さい低てい限げんは自じ分ぶんの身みの回まわりのことは自じ分ぶんでしてほしい。
At the very least, I want you to take care of your own basic needs.

Kanji

最utmost, most, extreme
低lower, short, humble
限limit, restrict, to best of ability

Related words

最さい小しょう限げんN1sense 1
最小限 emphasizes the smallest possible quantity or extent, while 最低限 stresses the minimum standard or level that must be met.
下か限げん
最低限 is a more everyday word for the smallest acceptable amount, while 下限 is the more formal/technical term for a lower bound in a range.
ミニマム
最低限 stresses the lowest acceptable or required level, whereas ミニマム more loosely describes something minimal in style or amount.
少すくなくともN3
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

最さい大だい限げんN1sense 1
最大限 means the maximum possible extent, the direct opposite of 最低限's minimum required level.

Don't confuse with

最さい低ていN3sense 1
最低 means 'the lowest' or can express a negative judgment like 'terrible', whereas 最低限 neutrally refers to the necessary minimum standard.

Word family

必ひつ要よう最さい低てい限げん
bare minimum; minimum necessary

Etymology

Compound of 最低 (lowest) + 限 (limit). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the word has been used in modern Japanese to express a minimum requirement or threshold.