(さいしょうげん)

さいしょうげん
noun, adverb
minimum, to the least extent
1. minimum, bare minimum, least extent
The smallest possible degree or amount. Used as a noun to refer to the lower limit, or adverbially (often with に or の) to mean 'to the minimum extent.'
被害(ひがい)最小限(さいしょうげん)(おさ)える。
To keep the damage to a minimum.
最小限(さいしょうげん)荷物(にもつ)旅行(りょこう)したい。
I want to travel with the minimum amount of luggage.
コストを最小限(さいしょうげん)(おさ)えつつ、品質(ひんしつ)維持(いじ)するのが課題(かだい)だ。
The challenge is to maintain quality while keeping costs to a minimum.

USAGE:

最小限(さいしょうげん) can function as a noun or as an adverb when followed by に.

  • Noun: 最小限(さいしょうげん)の + noun (the minimum ~)
  • Adverb: 最小限(さいしょうげん)に + verb (to the minimum extent)

The phrase 最小限(さいしょうげん)(おさ)える (to keep to a minimum) is especially common.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 最小限(さいしょうげん)(おさ)える: to keep to a minimum
  • 最小限(さいしょうげん)努力(どりょく): minimal effort
  • 最小限(さいしょうげん)(とど)める: to limit to a minimum
  • 最小限(さいしょうげん)負担(ふたん): minimal burden

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