至多

At Most

Level 3Sounds Like zi3 do1

至多 (zi3 do1) means 'at most' or 'at the very most.' It is used to define a maximum quantity or to express a resigned 'worst-case' outcome.

How It Works

至多 (zi3 do1) is a versatile adverb in Cantonese used to establish limits or indicate the highest degree.

1. Numerical Limits
When used with quantities, it can precede the verb phrase or directly precede the number-classifier phrase. It emphasizes that the amount mentioned is the absolute maximum. To soften the tone and emphasize 'only' or 'just', speakers frequently pair it with the sentence-final particle 啫 (ze1). While 至多 (zi3 do1) is used, 最多 (zeoi3 do1) is actually the most common and standard way to express 'at most' in daily conversation. Another standard colloquial alternative is 頂多 (ding2 do1). For a highly colloquial and slangy alternative, Cantonese speakers frequently use 頂籠 (ding2 lung2) or 頂盡 (ding2 zeon6).
Example: 至多等五分鐘啫 (zi3 do1 dang2 ng5 fan1 zung1 ze1) — 'Wait five minutes at most.'

2. Concessive/Worst-Case Nuance
A unique feature of 至多 (zi3 do1) is its use in clauses to indicate a 'worst-case scenario.' In this context, it often appears with the adverb 咪 (mai6) and the sentence-final particle 囉 (lo1) (using the 咪...囉 pattern) to show resignation.
Example: 至多咪輸囉 (zi3 do1 mai6 syu1 lo1) — 'At most, we just lose.'

3. Superlative Usage
In Cantonese, 至 (zi3) is a productive superlative prefix that attaches to many adjectives (e.g., 至靚 zi3 leng3 'the prettiest', 至好 zi3 hou2 'the best'), serving as a more colloquial alternative to 最 (zeoi3). Therefore, 至多 can also function as a superlative meaning 'the most,' though modern native speakers overwhelmingly prefer 最多 (zeoi3 do1) for this meaning in daily conversation.
Example: 佢食得至多 (keoi5 sik6 dak1 zi3 do1) — 'He eats the most.'

Examples (5)

  1. 至多五十蚊，唔買就罷。

    Fifty dollars at the very most; if you won't buy it, then forget it.

    Word by Word: At most fifty dollars, not buy then forget-it.

    Commonly used in bargaining to set a final price ceiling.

  2. 我至多等埋你五分鐘。

    I will wait for you for five minutes at most.

    Word by Word: I at most wait-also you five minutes.

    Here, it sets a strict time limit on an action.

  3. 至多咪唔去囉，有乜大不了？

    At most I just won't go, what's the big deal?

    Word by Word: At most [particle] not go [particle], have what big-deal?

    Demonstrates the 'worst-case scenario' nuance, often paired with 咪...囉.

  4. 呢度至多坐到四個人。

    This place can seat four people at most.

    Word by Word: This-place at most sit-able four [classifier] people.

    Used with a potential complement 到 (dou2) to describe capacity.

  5. 佢食得至多。

    He eats the most.

    Word by Word: He eat [manner] the most.

    In this context, 至多 (zi3 do1) acts as a superlative synonym for 最多 (zeoi3 do1).

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 至多 (zi3 do1) after the noun or quantity.

    五個至多。
    至多五個。

    Adverbs like 至多 (zi3 do1) must come before the quantity they are limiting, not after it.

How It Connects

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至多Level 3At Most

Learn This First

To understand '至多' (at most), learners need to be familiar with the superlative marker '至' and how it combines with quantity adjectives like '多' (many) to set limits. Familiarity with its counterpart '至少' (at least) is also highly beneficial as they follow the same grammatical logic.

Words in This Pattern