najmenej

Najmenej is a Slovak adverb meaning at least or the least, used to indicate a lower bound in quantity, duration, or degree. It is commonly employed when stating a minimum expectation or requirement, for example: Najmenej päť ľudí prišlo na schôdzku (At least five people came to the meeting) or Musíte stráviť najmenej tridsať minút (You must spend at least thirty minutes).

Etymology and form: Najmenej is formed from the comparative word menej (less) with the prefix naj-, creating a superlative sense. As an adverb, it typically modifies numerals, time expressions, or phrases indicating amount or duration, rather than adjectives on their own. In practice it often appears before numbers or time units, such as dva, tri, päť, alebo 30 minút.

Usage and nuance: Najmenej tends to carry a stronger emphasis on the lower bound than aspoň (at least). It is more common in written language and formal contexts, though it is understood in everyday speech. When conveying a minimum threshold with a sense of sufficiency or obligation, najmenej is a natural choice; in more casual speech, aspoň may be preferred.

Related terms: Minimálne is used to express a minimum degree or amount and can appear in similar contexts, sometimes with a slightly different nuance. Menej is the comparative form meaning less, while najviac means the most.

See also: aspoň, minimálne, menej, najviac.