inte minst

Not Least

Level 4

Use 'inte minst' to mean 'not least', 'especially', or 'in particular'. It highlights something of special importance among other things.

How It Works

'Inte minst' is a common and useful fixed expression in Swedish. It functions to draw the listener's or reader's attention to a particularly significant point among others that have been or could be mentioned.

Key Functions:

  • Emphasis: Its primary role is to add emphasis. It's a way of saying "and this next point is very important."
  • Specification: It often specifies a key reason or example from a broader set of possibilities.

Sentence Position:
'Inte minst' is quite flexible in its placement. It typically precedes the word, phrase, or clause it is meant to emphasize.

  • Mid-sentence: For example: Vi lyckades, inte minst tack vare din hjälp. (We succeeded, not least thanks to your help.)
  • At the end: It can also be used to add an emphatic afterthought. Många saker bidrog till beslutet, den ekonomiska aspekten inte minst. (Many things contributed to the decision, the economic aspect not least.)

It is similar in meaning to other emphatic phrases like framför allt (above all) and i synnerhet (in particular), though 'inte minst' has a slightly softer, more nuanced feel.

Examples (5)

  1. Projektet blev en succé, inte minst tack vare ditt hårda arbete.

    The project became a success, not least thanks to your hard work.

    Word by Word: The project became a success, not least thanks to your hard work.

  2. Många faktorer påverkar klimatet, inte minst utsläppen från industrin.

    Many factors affect the climate, especially the emissions from industry.

    Word by Word: Many factors affect the climate, not least the emissions from the industry.

  3. Hon är en förebild för många, inte minst för sin förmåga att aldrig ge upp.

    She is a role model for many, not least for her ability to never give up.

    Word by Word: She is a role model for many, not least for her ability to never give up.

  4. Det är viktigt att sova bra, inte minst när man har ett krävande jobb.

    It's important to sleep well, especially when you have a demanding job.

    Word by Word: It is important to sleep well, not least when one has a demanding job.

  5. Sverige är känt för mycket, inte minst sin vackra natur och design.

    Sweden is known for many things, not least its beautiful nature and design.

    Word by Word: Sweden is known for much, not least its beautiful nature and design.

Common Mistakes

  • Using inte minst for the intended minimum quantity.

    Jag vill ha inte minst en kopp kaffe.
    Jag vill ha åtminstone en kopp kaffe.

    For “at least one cup,” use åtminstone en kopp or minst en kopp. Inte minst can instead emphasize coffee among other desired things in a suitable context, so its problem here is the intended meaning, not an absolute ban on its position.

  • Using it as a direct equivalent of 'at least' in a non-emphatic context.

    Han är inte minst 30 år gammal.
    Han är minst 30 år gammal.

    To state a minimum age of thirty, use minst or åtminstone. Han är inte minst 30 år gammal can instead negate the claim that he is at least thirty; it does not express the intended minimum. The fixed emphatic inte minst means especially in the examples above.

How It Connects

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

inte minstLevel 4Not Least

Learn This First

To understand 'inte minst', you first need to be familiar with the basic negation 'inte' and the superlative form 'minst' (least). The phrase literally means 'not least' and is used to emphasize a specific point or example within a larger context.

Words in This Pattern

minstinte