Definition

1. Adverb:
   • At the minimum; not less than: Used to indicate the lowest possible amount, degree, or number in a given situation. It sets a baseline expectation or requirement.
   • At least: A common translation, used to introduce a statement that mitigates or qualifies a previous one, often suggesting a positive or consoling aspect.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Công việc này sẽ mất ít nhất ba ngày. (This work will take at least three days.)
  • Anh ấy ít nhất cũng nên gọi điện cho bố mẹ. (He should at least call his parents.)
  • Tôi không biết chính xác, nhưng ít nhất cũng phải có mười người. (I don't know exactly, but there must be at least ten people.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ít nhất là..." / "Ít nhất thì...": These introductory phrases are used to emphasize the baseline part of the statement, often before stating a concession or a minimal positive point.

  • Ít nhất là chúng ta đã cố gắng hết sức. (At least we tried our best.)
  • Đồ đạc bị mất hết, nhưng ít nhất thì mọi người đều an toàn. (All the belongings were lost, but at least everyone is safe.)

• Used to soften a criticism or demand by stating the minimum acceptable action.

  • Ít nhất anh có thể nói lời xin lỗi. (You could at least say sorry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tối thiểu (Adjective/Adverb): Minimum; minimally. Often used in more formal or quantitative contexts (e.g., - minimum wage). While similar, is more absolute and statistical, whereas is more conversational and often used for emphasis or consolation.
• Từng ấy (Pronoun): At least that much/many. Used to refer back to a previously mentioned quantity as a minimum ( - You need at least that much money.).

Synonyms

• Tối thiểu: Minimum (as mentioned above).
• Cũng phải: Also must/have to (used similarly in conversational Vietnamese to set a minimum, e.g., - It has to be at least five million.).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ít ra: A very close synonym, often interchangeable with in most contexts, meaning "at the very least."
  • Ít ra cậu cũng nên đến thăm ông bà. (You should at least visit your grandparents.)

Related Idioms

• Ít nhất cũng...: This is the standard idiomatic structure, reinforcing the adverbial function.
  • Dù sao đi nữa, ít nhất cũng đã có kết quả. (Anyway, at least we have a result.)
• Không ít thì nhiều: An idiom meaning "to a certain extent; more or less." It expresses an indefinite but significant degree, different from the specific minimum of .
  • Ai cũng chịu ảnh hưởng, không ít thì nhiều. (Everyone is affected, more or less.)

1. At least
   • ít nhất thì cũng phải một năm mới xong một cuốn từ điển cỡ đó
     It will take at least a year to complete a dictionary of that size