at least

at least — 慣用語

1. not less than a stated number or amount; a minimum of

1.慣用語A2
釋義

至少

不少於某個數字或數量

not less than a stated number or amount; a minimum of

例句

Adisa read at least twenty books over the summer holidays.

Adisa 在暑假裡讀了至少二十本書。

at least + number + noun

The journey to the mountain lodge takes at least three hours by car.

開車到山間小屋至少需要三個小時。

同義詞
  • no less than

    slightly more formal; often used with larger or more impressive numbers

  • a minimum of

    more precise and formal; common in official instructions or rules

  • not under

    less common; mainly used with prices or ages

反義詞
  • at most

    the upper limit, the opposite of a minimum

文法句型

at least + number/amount

常見錯誤

❌I have atleast ten minutes.
✅I have at least ten minutes.
💡'at least' is always two separate words, never written as one.

2. used after a negative or critical statement to add a fact that makes the whole m

2.慣用語B1
釋義

總算；好歹

讓批評聽起來沒那麼重的緩和說法

used after a negative or critical statement to add a fact that makes the whole message feel less disappointing

例句

The hotel room was rather small, but at least the bed was clean and comfortable.

飯店房間有點小，但好歹床鋪乾淨又舒服。

but at least + positive counterpoint

Ishaan arrived half an hour late, but at least he brought the documents we needed.

Ishaan 遲到了半小時，但總算把我們需要的文件帶來了。

同義詞
  • at any rate

    similar in meaning but more formal and less common in everyday speech

  • in any case

    often used when moving past a problem to focus on what still matters

  • anyhow

    very informal; can sound dismissive if used in serious contexts

文法句型

but at least + positive statement

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 3: here the first part is a negative opinion or criticism being softened; in sense 3, the first part describes an objectively bad event and the speaker is finding one comfort.

3. used to pick out the one comforting or relieving detail in a situation that is o

3.慣用語B1
釋義

幸好；萬幸

在糟糕情況中唯一的安慰

used to pick out the one comforting or relieving detail in a situation that is otherwise entirely bad

例句

Nadia missed her flight, but at least the airline gave her a free hotel room.

Nadia 錯過了航班，但幸好航空公司給了她免費的飯店房間。

but at least + lone positive in bad luck

The storm flooded the basement, but at least nobody in the house was hurt.

暴風雨淹了地下室，但萬幸屋裡沒有人受傷。

同義詞
  • thankfully

    expresses relief but does not carry the 'despite everything else' meaning

  • on the bright side

    very close in meaning; slightly more conversational and informal

  • the good news is

    more direct and often used to shift the topic to something positive

文法句型

but at least + single positive detail

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes a genuinely bad event (accident, loss, disaster) with one silver lining. Sense 2 softens a criticism or mild negative — the situation was not necessarily terrible.

4. a way of urging someone to do the smallest possible thing, when they seem unwill

4.慣用語B1
釋義

起碼；最起碼

要求對方至少做一件小事

a way of urging someone to do the smallest possible thing, when they seem unwilling or unable to act at all

例句

Emily, you could at least call your grandmother on her birthday.

Emily，妳起碼可以在奶奶生日那天打個電話給她吧。

could at least + verb for minimal expectation

If you are not going to help cook, at least set the table before the guests arrive.

如果你不幫忙做飯，起碼在客人到之前把桌子擺好。

同義詞
  • if nothing else

    emphasises the absolute minimum in a situation; often used at the start of a sentence

  • at the very least

    stronger and more emphatic; suggests the speaker expects more but is settling

  • for goodness' sake

    much stronger tone of exasperation; only for informal spoken English

文法句型

could/should at least + verb