at best
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at best
Expresses what will happen in the most favorable or positive case. It is often associated with a limitation or not very high expectations.
Wenn wir jetzt losfahren, kommen wir bestenfalls pünktlich zum Termin.
If we leave now, we'll arrive on time for the appointment at best.
'Bestenfalls' (at best) is made up of 'besten' (superlative of 'gut' (good)) and 'Falls' (genitive of 'der Fall' (the case)). So it literally means 'in the best case'.
Bestenfalls sind wir in einer Stunde da.
At best, we'll be there in an hour.
As an adverb, 'bestenfalls' (at best) can stand in position 1, which triggers inversion (verb before subject). But it can also stand inside the sentence after the verb and subject.
Bestenfalls schaffen wir heute noch die Hälfte der Arbeit.
At best, we'll still manage half of the work today.
This word often expresses a realistic or even slightly pessimistic expectation. It emphasizes that the stated result is the maximum and may not even be achieved.
Für diesen Preis bekommen Sie bestenfalls ein gebrauchtes Fahrrad in gutem Zustand.
For that price, you'll get a used bicycle in good condition at best.
at least
'mindestens' and 'bestenfalls' can both express a limit, but they point in different directions. 'mindestens' states the minimum: it is not less than this amount or level of performance. 'bestenfalls' states what is possible in the most favorable case and often sounds rather cautious or not very optimistic. They can be confused because both can be used with expectations. The difference is important: 'mindestens drei Tage' means three or more days; 'bestenfalls drei Tage' means at most three days, if everything goes well.
Wegen der vielen Arbeit kann ich bestenfalls eine kurze Antwort schicken.
Because of all the work, I can at best send a short reply.
Du solltest vor dem Lauf mindestens zehn Minuten aufwärmen.
You should warm up for at least ten minutes before the run.