ntäintään

Ntäintään is a Finnish word that functions as an adverb. It is primarily used to express a minimum quantity or a lowest possible limit, often in a context of expectation or necessity. The literal translation can be "at least," "no less than," or "not even." It signifies a lower bound, implying that the actual amount or degree is equal to or greater than the stated figure. For instance, one might say "It costs ntäintään ten euros," meaning the price is ten euros or more.

The word is particularly useful for setting expectations or requirements. When used with a negative, such as "ei ntäintään," it can emphasize the absence of even a minimal amount or effort. For example, "He didn't help ntäintään" would mean he offered no help whatsoever. Its usage is common in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike, providing a precise way to define a floor for a measurement or action. The grammatical function remains adverbial, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Understanding ntäintään is key to grasping nuances of quantity and limitation in Finnish.