Chinese word

起码

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǐ mǎ

Meaning

  • adverbat least

Example

你起码要穿外套，外面很冷。nǐ qí mǎ yào chuān wài tào wài miàn hěn lěng

You should at least wear a coat; it's very cold outside.

Illustration for 起码 (at least)

More examples

这次出差起码两天。zhè cì chū chāi qí mǎ liǎng tiān

This business trip will last at least two days.

Core concept

A baseline for measuring how much, how far, or how well something must be.

Common phrases

  • 起码要qí mǎ yào

    must at least

  • 起码有qí mǎ yǒu

    have at least

  • 起码两天qí mǎ liǎng tiān

    at least two days

Similar words

至少zhì shǎo: Sets a lower limit for a number, amount, or degree.
最起码zuì qí mǎ: Stresses the absolute minimum required, especially in a spoken request.
最少zuì shǎo: Specifies the smallest quantity or shortest duration.

Definition in Chinese

作副词时表示某事物或行为在数额、程度上不低于某一最低标准，大致等于“至少”。zuò fù cí shí biǎo shì mǒu shì wù huò xíng wéi zài shù é chéng dù shàng bù dī yú mǒu yí zuì dī biāo zhǔn dà zhì děng yú zhì shǎo

Word origin

起码 (qǐmǎ, "at least") is built from the ideas of beginning and a number or measure, so its meaning centers on the first level that qualifies.

Usage tips

  • A number does not need to follow this word, because everyday speakers also use it to mark a minimum expected action or standard.

Other meanings

  • if nothing elseadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word