Korean word

적어도

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheogeodo

Meaning

  • adverbat least

Example

적어도 일주일에 한 번은 운동해.cheo geo do il ju i re han peo neun un dong hae

Exercise at least once a week.

Illustration for 적어도 (at least)

More examples

적어도 한 달에 한 번은 부모님께 전화해.cheo geo do han ta re han peo neun pu mo nim kke cheon hwa hae

Call your parents at least once a month.

Core concept

A marked minimum: the quantity or number may be higher, but it cannot go below this point.

Common phrases

  • 적어도 한 번cheo geo do han peon

    at least once

  • 적어도 일주일에 한 번cheo geo do il ju i re han peon

    at least once a week

  • 적어도 한 시간cheo geo do han si gan

    at least one hour

Similar words

최소한choesohan: States the lowest level or condition needed for something to be acceptable.
못해도motaedo: Offers a fallback minimum when the result may not reach the hoped-for level.

Definition in Korean

최소한의 양이나 횟수를 말할 때 쓰는 부사로, 그보다 적하면 안 된다는 뜻이다.choe so ha nui yang i na hoet ssu reul mal hal ttae sseu neun pu sa ro keu bo da cheo ka myeon an toen da neun tteu si da

Word origin

The adverb 적어도 (jeogeodo, "at least") combines the idea of being little with a concessive ending meaning even if, yielding a lower limit.

Usage tips

  • The same word can frame a fallback meaning if nothing else, so context shows whether it marks a measured minimum or the least acceptable option.

Other meanings

  • if nothing elseadverb

Opposites

  • 기껏해야kikkeotaeyaat mostadverb
  • 많아야manayaat mostadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word