精々(せいぜい)

せいぜい

adverb

at most, at best

1. at most, at best

Indicating the upper limit of what can be expected; no more than.

It's probably 100 people at most.

This is about all I can do.

With my current salary, I can eat out at most about once a month.

2. as much as possible, to the best of one's ability

Doing something with maximum effort (often with slight resignation or irony).

Do your best (as much as you can).

Can sound slightly dismissive depending on context

If you have time, enjoy yourself as much as you can.

You don't have much vacation left, so you'd better rest as much as you can while you have the chance.

精々(せいぜい) is an adverb with two main nuances: setting an upper limit ("at most") and doing one's best (sometimes with an ironic edge).

Sets a ceiling, implying the actual amount is less than expected.

When used to mean "do your best," it often carries a slightly dismissive or ironic tone, depending on context.

Usually written in hiragana (せいぜい). The kanji 精々(せいぜい) is uncommon.

Related Words

Compare: せめて (at least)

Compare: たかが (merely)

general

Added 2026.1.12 10:11 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

03000/03288_seizei