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.
精々(せいぜい)100人(にん)ぐらいだろう。
It's probably 100 people at most.
私(わたし)にできるのは精々(せいぜい)これくらいだ。
This is about all I can do.
今(いま)の給料(きゅうりょう)では、精々(せいぜい)月(つき)に一回(いっかい)外食(がいしょく)できるくらいだ。
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).
精々(せいぜい)頑張(がんば)ってください。
Do your best (as much as you can).
Can sound slightly dismissive depending on context
時間(じかん)があるなら、精々(せいぜい)楽(たの)しんでこい。
If you have time, enjoy yourself as much as you can.
残(のこ)り少(すく)ない休(やす)みなんだから、精々(せいぜい)ゆっくり休(やす)んでおいたほうがいい。
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).

MEANING 1 - UPPER LIMIT:

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

MEANING 2 - ENCOURAGEMENT/IRONY:

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

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

CONTRAST:

Related Words

Contrast: 少(すく)なくとも (at least)
general
Added 2026.1.12 10:11 · Revised 2026.5.25 5:11
03000/03288_seizei