at least
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at least
A variant of 'zumindest' (at least), which is often considered stylistically less elegant or colloquial. It means 'at least' or 'in the minimum case' and expresses a lower limit or a minimum requirement.
Er hätte zumindestens anrufen können, um Bescheid zu sagen.
He could at least have called to let us know.
The form 'zumindestens' (at least) is used in spoken language, but in written language or formal situations it is often considered stylistically awkward or less elegant.
Ich habe keine Zeit, dir zu helfen, aber ich kann dir zumindestens mein Werkzeug leihen.
I don't have time to help you, but I can at least lend you my tools.
As an adverb, 'zumindestens' (at least) can appear in different positions in the sentence. It often stands at the beginning of the sentence in position 1, which means that the verb follows directly after it in position 2.
Zumindestens hat er sich für die Verspätung entschuldigt.
At least he apologized for being late.
The word is an expanded form made up of 'zu', the superlative 'mindest', and the ending '-ens'. This '-ens' ending is also found in other adverbs such as 'frühestens' (at the earliest) or 'bestenfalls' (at best).
Du musst nicht alles verstehen, aber zumindestens die Grundlagen sollten klar sein.
You don't have to understand everything, but at least the basics should be clear.
at least
Mindestens and zumindestens can both indicate a lower limit or minimum requirement. Mindestens is the neutral choice in Standard German, especially with measurable figures. Zumindestens means the same here, but sounds colloquial and stylistically less elegant.
Wir brauchen zumindestens zehn Teilnehmer, sagte Tom im Gespräch.
We need at least ten participants, Tom said during the conversation.
Laut der offiziellen Planung brauchen wir mindestens zehn Teilnehmer.
According to the official plan, we need at least ten participants.
