minimum / least
Loading your saved state.
minimum
Indicates the smallest amount, the lowest limit, or the smallest extent of something. It is almost always used in its declined form as an adjective before a noun.
Der mindeste Einsatz für dieses Spiel beträgt fünf Euro.
The minimum stake for this game is five euros.
The word 'mindest' is used almost exclusively as an adjective directly before a noun and must be declined there. A predicative use like 'Der Aufwand war mindest' is not correct.
Für diesen Job gibt es ein mindestes Einstiegsgehalt.
There is a minimum starting salary for this job.
'Mindest' is a superlative form meaning 'least' or 'smallest.' It always expresses a lowest limit, a required minimum, or the smallest possible amount.
Die mindeste Teilnehmerzahl für den Kurs wurde nicht erreicht.
The minimum number of participants for the course was not reached.
The nominalized form 'das Mindeste' (the least) is often used to express a minimal but necessary or morally expected action. It describes what is seen as absolutely basic and self-evident.
Danke zu sagen, ist doch das Mindeste.
Saying thank you is the least you can do.
In its function as a lower limit, 'mindest' is often combined with words that describe an amount, value, or requirement, such as age, amount, distance, or requirement.
Das mindeste Alter für den Führerschein ist 17 Jahre.
The minimum age for a driver's license is 17.
small
'klein' and 'mindest' both have to do with little or a small size. 'klein' directly describes that something is not big, for example a room, a child, or a problem. It can also mean that something is not important. 'mindest', on the other hand, means the lowest limit that is still necessary or allowed. It is often used in forms like 'Mindestalter' (minimum age), 'Mindestbetrag' (minimum amount), or 'das Mindeste' (the least). So 'klein' describes a quality, while 'mindest' more often describes a limit or the least that is expected.
Bei der Bewerbung ist ein Mindestalter von achtzehn Jahren nötig.
A minimum age of eighteen is required for the application.
Zu Hause steht ein kleiner Tisch neben dem Fenster.
At home, there is a small table next to the window.