min

Min is a term with multiple uses across language, geography, and science. It can refer to a unit of time, a group of Chinese languages, a regional abbreviation for Fujian Province, or a personal name. The following summarizes some common meanings.

In timekeeping, min is the standard abbreviation for minute, equal to 60 seconds. It appears on clocks, schedules, and timers, and can be used in expressions such as “five min” or “in 5 min.”

The Min languages are a branch of Sinitic languages spoken mainly in Fujian Province, Taiwan, and parts of Zhejiang and Guangdong. They include several subgroups, such as Min Nan (Southern Min), Min Bei (Northern Min), and Mindong (Eastern Min), and are characterized by diverse phonology and vocabulary that are distinct from Mandarin.

In Chinese usage, the character 闽 (閩) is associated with Fujian Province and is used as its regional abbreviation. The Min River, or Minjiang, is a major river in Fujian that flows toward the East China Sea.

As a name, Min functions as a given name in Korea and other East Asian contexts, and as a surname in Chinese, represented by characters such as 闵/閔 (though this surname is relatively uncommon). It is also encountered as part of given-name elements in various cultures.

In mathematics and computing, min denotes the minimum of a set. In databases and spreadsheets, MIN() is an aggregate function that returns the smallest value in a column.