Meaning of 起码
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- at the minimum; at the very least
How to use 起码
起码 often goes before a number or a verb phrase to give a minimum, and it can also describe a basic requirement, as in 起码的条件 (the most basic conditions). Example: 这本书起码要三天才能看完。 (Zhè běn shū qǐmǎ yào sān tiān cái néng kàn wán.) This book will take at least three days to finish.
起 (qǐ) means to start or rise, and 码 (mǎ) means a number or code. Think of 起码 as the starting number, the lowest point you begin from, so it means at the very least.
Common mistake: Learners often put 起码 at the end of a sentence like English "at least". In Chinese it goes before the verb or number, so say 起码要两个小时, not 要两个小时起码. Also remember 码 is third tone, mǎ, the same as 马 (mǎ), its sound component.
起码 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
起 qǐ · to rise · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
码 mǎ · agate · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 起码.
| 一起 | yīqǐ | (in) the same place; together; in company (with) |
| 起来 | qǐlái | to stand up; to get up; also pr. [qi3lai2] |
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 起床 | qǐchuáng | to get out of bed; to get up |
| 想起 | xiǎngqǐ | to recall; to think of |
| 起飞 | qǐfēi | (of an aircraft or rocket) to take off; to lift off; (fig.) (of an enterprise etc) to star |
| 看起来 | kàn qǐlái | seemingly; apparently; looks as if; appears to be; gives the impression that; seems on the |
| 号码 | hàomǎ | number |
| 了不起 | liǎobuqǐ | amazing; terrific |
| 引起 | yǐnqǐ | to give rise to; to lead to; to cause; to arouse |
| 密码 | mìmǎ | cipher; secret code; password; PIN |
| 看不起 | kànbuqǐ | to look down upon; to despise |
Questions about 起码
What does 起码 mean?
起码 (qǐmǎ) means "at the minimum; at the very least" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 起码?
起码 is made of 2 characters: 起 (10 strokes), 码 (8 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 起码 an HSK word?
Yes. 起码 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 起码 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 起码 is written 起碼.
What is the difference between 起码 and 至少?
Both mean at least and are often interchangeable before numbers. 起码 sounds a bit more spoken, and it can also work as an adjective meaning basic, as in 最起码的礼貌 (the most basic manners). 至少 is not usually used that way.
What does 最起码 mean?
最起码 (zuì qǐmǎ) is a stronger form meaning at the very least or the bare minimum. For example, 你最起码应该说声谢谢 means you should at the very least say thank you.