At the least – zhìshǎo

Grammar Point:
至少 zhìshǎo is a Chinese adverb that is commonly used to express the minimum or lowest quantity or degree of something. It indicates the smallest amount or level required or expected.

Structure

S + 至少 + V

我們wǒmen至少zhìshǎo需要xūyào五wǔ個ge人rén參加cānjiā這個zhège活動huódòng我们wǒmen至少zhìshǎo需要xūyào五wǔ个ge人rén参加cānjiā这个zhège活动huódòng
We need at least five people to participate in this event.

他tā至少zhìshǎo應該yīnggāi打dǎ個ge電話diànhuà告訴gàosù我wǒ他tā至少zhìshǎo应该yīnggāi打dǎ个ge电话diànhuà告诉gàosu我wǒ
He should at least call me to let me know.

你nǐ至少zhìshǎo要yào跟gēn他tā收shōu500 塊kuài錢qián你nǐ至少zhìshǎo要yào跟gēn他tā收shōu500 块kuài钱qián
You should charge him at least 500 dollars.

他tā至少zhìshǎo每天měitiān都dōu會huì運動yùndòng30 分鐘fēnzhōng他tā至少zhìshǎo每天měitiān都dōu会huì运动yùndòng30 分钟fēnzhōng
He exercises for at least 30 minutes every day.

人rén一天yìtiān至少zhìshǎo要yào喝hē2000cc 的de水shuǐ才cái健康jiànkāng人rén一天yìtiān至少zhìshǎo要yào喝hē2000cc 的de水shuǐ才cái健康jiànkāng
A person should drink at least 2000cc of water per day to stay healthy.

我wǒ至少zhìshǎo要yào三點sāndiǎn才cái會huì到dào我wǒ至少zhìshǎo要yào三点sāndiǎn才cái会huì到dào
I will arrive at least at three o’clock.

你nǐ到dào台灣Táiwān旅遊lǚyóu， 至少zhìshǎo應該yīnggāi去qù九份jiǔfèn看看kànkàn你nǐ到dào台湾Táiwān旅游lǚyóu， 至少zhìshǎo应该yīnggāi去qù九份jiǔfèn看看kànkàn
If you travel to Taiwan, you should at least visit Jiufen.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ This movie is at least three hours long.

這zhè部bù電影diànyǐng至少zhìshǎo有yǒu3 個ge小時xiǎoshí这zhè部bù电影diànyǐng至少zhìshǎo有yǒu3 个ge小时xiǎoshí

✔️ You need to at least have a house and a car to be able to get married.

你nǐ至少zhìshǎo得děi有yǒu房fáng有yǒu車chē， 才cái可能kěnéng結婚jiéhūn你nǐ至少zhìshǎo得děi有yǒu房fáng有yǒu车chē， 才cái可能kěnéng结婚jiéhūn

✔️ In the future, I plan to have at least three children.

我wǒ以後yǐhòu打算dǎsuàn至少zhìshǎo要yào生shēng三個sānge孩子háizi我wǒ以后yǐhòu打算dǎsuàn至少zhìshǎo要yào生shēng三个sānge娃wá