N27/217

せめて

せめて + 〜だけでもせめて + 〜くらいはせめて + 〜してください/〜であってほしいせめて〜でも/ 〜くらいでも (使われる状況)

Meanings

At least
Even if not more, at minimum

About this pattern

Explanation

せめて is used when you want to express a minimum or hopeful exception in a situation that isn’t ideal. It suggests that if nothing better is possible, you’d settle for a smaller, more modest amount or outcome. It often conveys a sense of urgency or wishfulness for a minimum acceptable state, often in negations or requests.

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Example sentences

今日はせめて雨が止んでほしい。

I just want the rain to stop, at least.

せめて明日までには連絡をください。

Please contact me by tomorrow, at least.

せめて1日でも休ませてください。

Please let me take at least one day off.

せめて5千円でも用意しておいて。

Please have at least 5,000 yen ready.

Related patterns

得る・得る

to be able to; can; possible to do

Unable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly

ざるを得ない

Can't help doing; Have no choice but to...

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More N2 patterns

得る・得る

to be able to; can; possible to do

Unable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly

ざるを得ない

Can't help doing; Have no choice but to...

to not ~; un~; archaic negative form of ず used in literary Japanese

With the intention of doing; Instead of...; Act as if or pretend; Believing that...; Thinking that...

anyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably