至少

At Least

Level 3Sounds Like zi3 siu2

至少 (zi3 siu2) means "at least." It is used to indicate a minimum amount (e.g., "at least three days") or a minimum requirement (e.g., "at least tell me").

How It Works

The term 至少 (zi3 siu2) is a compound of 至 (zi3) meaning "most/to the point of" and 少 (siu2) meaning "few/little." Together, they establish a floor or lower limit. The synonym 最少 (zeoi3 siu2) is also used interchangeably in both spoken and written contexts.

1. Quantitative Use:
When used with numbers, it must precede the number-classifier phrase.
Example: 至少五個人 (zi3 siu2 ng5 go3 jan4) — "At least five people."

2. Qualitative/Requirement Use:
It can modify verbs or expectations to show a "minimum effort" or a saving grace in a situation. In these cases, it is often paired with 都 (dou1) for emphasis.
Example: 你至少都應該打電話畀我 (nei5 zi3 siu2 dou1 jing1 goi1 daa2 din6 waa2 bei2 ngo5) — "You should at least call me."

3. Register:
While 至少 is standard, 起碼 (hei2 maa5) is the standard spoken equivalent used in almost all daily and professional conversations. In casual contexts involving guaranteed minimums (like prices, quantities, or time), you might hear the slangy 坐底 (zo6 dai2), which literally means "sitting at the base."

Examples (4)

  1. 呢度至少有五十個人。

    There are at least fifty people here.

    Word by Word: This place at least have fifty [classifier] people.

    Here, 至少 (zi3 siu2) modifies the quantity 'fifty people' to set a lower bound.

  2. 去機場至少要一個鐘。

    It takes at least an hour to get to the airport.

    Word by Word: Go airport at least need one [classifier] hour.

    至少 (zi3 siu2) is used here to describe the minimum duration of time required.

  3. 你至少都應該話我知吖。

    You should at least let me know.

    Word by Word: You at least also should tell me know [particle].

    In this qualitative sense, 至少 (zi3 siu2) is paired with 都 (dou1) to emphasize a minimum expectation.

  4. 我每日至少飲八杯水。

    I drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

    Word by Word: I every day at least drink eight [classifier] water.

    至少 (zi3 siu2) appears before the verb and quantity to show a daily minimum habit.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'at least' after the quantity (English word order).

    五十人至少。
    至少五十人。

    In Cantonese, 至少 (zi3 siu2) must come before the number or phrase it modifies, unlike English where 'at least' can sometimes follow the noun.

  • Confusing 'few' (少 siu2) with 'small' (細 sai3).

    至細五個。
    至少五個。

    Learners often confuse 少 (siu2 - quantity) and 細 (sai3 - size). The pattern for 'at least' always uses 少 (siu2).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

至少Level 3At Least

Learn This First

To use 至少 (at least), learners need to be comfortable with Cantonese counting structures (Number + Classifier + Noun) because the pattern is primarily used to define minimum quantities or durations. It is also commonly used alongside modal verbs like 要 (need) to express requirements.

Words in This Pattern