1.
at most; at the most; no more than
Sets an upper limit on a quantity or degree. Indicates the maximum possible amount.
多くとも十人だろう。
It's probably ten people at most.
費用は多くとも五万円で済む。
The cost will come to 50,000 yen at most.
多くとも三日あれば終わるはずだ。
It should be finished in three days at most.
Sets an upper limit on a quantity. Formed from 多い (many) in its く form + とも (even if). Literally "even if many."
USAGE:
Placed before the quantity being limited. More formal and written than 多くても, which is the everyday spoken equivalent.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 多くとも + number: at most [number]
- 多くとも + time: at most [time period]
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 多くても: at most (casual, spoken)
- せいぜい: at most (casual, sometimes dismissive)
- 最大で: at maximum (factual)
OPPOSITE:
- 少なくとも: at least (sets a lower limit)