至少 (zhì shǎo) — at least

至少 (zhìshǎo) + Number / Noun / Clause

HSK 43.0

Pattern diagram

至少NumberNoun

pale — also possible

Rule structure

至少 (zhìshǎo) means “at least.” It sets a lower bound on an amount or time; the actual value may be greater. It can also identify the minimum that is nevertheless true.

Rule structure

至少 (zhìshǎo) means “at least.” It sets a lower bound on an amount or time; the actual value may be greater. It can also identify the minimum that is nevertheless true.

Examples

从这儿到车站至少要走二十分钟。

Cóng zhèr dào chēzhàn zhìshǎo yào zǒu èrshí fēnzhōng.

From here to the station it takes at least twenty minutes to walk.

这个班至少有三十个学生。

Zhège bān zhìshǎo yǒu sānshí ge xuésheng.

There are at least thirty students in this class.

你至少应该打个电话。

Nǐ zhìshǎo yīnggāi dǎ ge diànhuà.

You should at least make a phone call.

Examples

从这儿到车站至少要走二十分钟。

Cóng zhèr dào chēzhàn zhìshǎo yào zǒu èrshí fēnzhōng.

From here to the station it takes at least twenty minutes to walk.

这个班至少有三十个学生。

Zhège bān zhìshǎo yǒu sānshí ge xuésheng.

There are at least thirty students in this class.

你至少应该打个电话。

Nǐ zhìshǎo yīnggāi dǎ ge diànhuà.

You should at least make a phone call.

Try this rule

Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.

Words from this rule

至少

zhì shǎo

At least

从

cóng

From, through

这儿

zhèr

Here

到

dào

To arrive, to reach (resultative complement after verbs)

车站

chēzhàn

Station

要

yào

To want, need, to intend to do something

走

zǒu

To walk, to leave, to move

二

èr

Two, 2

十分

shí fēn

Very, extremely

钟

zhōng

Clock

这个

zhè ge

This, this one

班

bān

Class, group

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “at least” in Chinese with 至少?

Use the structure: 至少 (zhìshǎo) + Number / Noun / Clause. For example: 从这儿到车站至少要走二十分钟。 — “From here to the station it takes at least twenty minutes to walk”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

从这儿到车站至少要走二十分钟。 — “From here to the station it takes at least twenty minutes to walk”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules

互相 — each other

互相 (hùxiāng) + Verb Phrase

再也不 — never again

Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)

甚至 — even

甚至 (shènzhì) + Verb / Noun / Clause

难道 — rhetorical question “don’t you…”

难道 (nándào)⋯⋯？

正好 — just in time, coincidence

Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.

差点 — almost

Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate

到底 — in the end, after all

到底 (dàodǐ) + Verb / Adj.

究竟 — in the end

究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question