最さい少しょう

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

fewest; least; minimum number

Used for the smallest count or numerical amount. Often appears as 最少の〜, 最少人数, 過去最少, etc.; for physical size, 最小 is usually the more direct word.

Antonyms: 最多

• この仕し事ごとは最さい少しょう人にん数ずうで進すすめよう。

  Let's do this job with the minimum number of people.

• 今年ことしの応おう募ぼ者しゃ数すうは過か去こ最さい少しょうだった。

  The number of applicants this year was the lowest ever.

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

youngest

Rare use based on 少 meaning young; in modern Japanese, 最年少 is the normal word for 'youngest.'

Antonyms: 最長

• 「最さい少しょう」を「最さい年ねん少しょう」の意い味みで使つかう例れいもあるが、現げん在ざいはまれだ。

  There are examples where 最少 is used to mean 'youngest,' but this is rare today.