minimum
/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪn.ə.məm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmi-nə-məm/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɪnɪməm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪnɪməm/ (ame, ipa)
minimum — 名詞
- minimumsingular
- minimumsplural
1. the lowest possible number, amount, or level of something — for example, the sma
最低；最小
可能的最低數量或程度
the lowest possible number, amount, or level of something — for example, the smallest number of people needed to start a game, or the coldest temperature a plant can survive without dying.
Rin needs a minimum of eight hours of sleep to function well at work.
Rin 每天最少需要八小時的睡眠才能在上班時表現良好。
a minimum of + [number]
The contract sets a minimum order of fifty boxes for free shipping.
合約規定最低訂購五十箱才能享有免費運送。
minimum + noun (order, age, etc.)
Kofi kept his spending to a minimum by cooking all his meals at home.
Kofi 把所有餐點都自己煮，將花費降到最低。
The thermometer recorded a minimum of minus seven degrees overnight.
溫度計記錄到夜間最低溫為零下七度。
- maximum
the highest possible number, amount, or level — the direct opposite
文法句型
a minimum of + [number]
keep + noun + to a minimum
at a minimum
用法筆記
Usually singular. The uncountable form appears in fixed phrases such as 'keep something to a minimum' or 'at a minimum'.
常見錯誤
minimum — 形容詞
- minimumpositive
- more minimumcomparative
- most minimumsuperlative
1. as low, small, or few as possible or required by an official rule — for example,
最低限
允許或要求的最低限度
as low, small, or few as possible or required by an official rule — for example, the smallest wage an employer is allowed to pay, or the youngest age at which a person can legally drive.
The minimum wage for restaurant staff in this city is fifteen dollars per hour.
本市餐廳員工的最低工資是每小時十五美元。
minimum + [noun] (wage, age, etc.)
Applicants must meet the minimum age of seventeen to take the driving test.
申請人必須年滿十七歲才能參加駕照路考。
Dario did only the bare minimum work required to pass the chemistry class.
Dario 只做了通過化學課所需的最低限度功課。
The apartment has a minimum rental period of twelve full months.
這間公寓的最低租期為整整十二個月。
- minimal
more natural after linking verbs; 'minimal effort' suggests a very small amount, but not necessarily the smallest allowed
- least
works before nouns ('the least amount'), but 'least' also serves as a superlative adjective in comparisons
- lowest
common with prices, temperatures, and levels; 'lowest price' is more conversational than 'minimum price'
- maximum
the largest or highest possible or allowed
文法句型
minimum + [noun]
用法筆記
Attributive only — 'minimum' as an adjective appears before a noun and is not used after linking verbs (❌ 'The cost is minimum' → ✅ 'The cost is minimal' or 'The minimum cost is…').
常見錯誤
minimum — 副詞
1. placed directly after a number or amount to mark the lower end of a range and si
至少
表示數量最少不會低於
placed directly after a number or amount to mark the lower end of a range and signal that the real quantity could be larger — for instance, saying a repair will cost two hundred dollars minimum means you might pay more but you will not pay less.
The bus ride to the airport takes forty minutes minimum in morning traffic.
早上的交通尖峰時段，搭公車到機場至少要四十分鐘。
[amount] + minimum
Yael expects the whole process to last three months minimum from start to finish.
Yael 預期整個流程從頭到尾至少要三個月。
Guests should arrive fifteen minutes early minimum to find their seats before the show.
觀眾至少要提早十五分鐘到場，才能在開演前找到座位。
Each trainee must complete twenty hours minimum of practice before taking the exam.
每位受訓學員在考試前至少要完成二十小時的練習。
- at least
more flexible — can appear before or after the number; 'at least ten days' sounds natural while 'minimum ten days' does not
- at a minimum
slightly more formal; interchangeable in most positions
文法句型
[amount] + minimum
用法筆記
Unlike most adverbs, 'minimum' comes after the number it modifies (postpositive position). Do not place it before the number (❌ 'Minimum twenty people' is non-standard). Compare with 'at least', which can appear before the number.