Chinese Language Learning Program Lesson 95– The difference of “zuì shǎo(最少), zhì shǎo(至少), qǐ mǎ(起码), zuì qǐ mǎ(最起码) ” in Chinese

Chinese Language Learning Program

Lesson 95 – The difference of “zuì shǎo(最少), zhì shǎo(至少), qǐ mǎ(起码), zuì qǐ mǎ(最起码) ” in Chinese

Hello, everyone. Welcome back. This is Baixue’s Chinese Language Learning Program. Last time we had a song “If you are happy…” in Chinese. Today, we will talk about the difference of “zuì shǎo(最少), zhì shǎo(至少), qǐ mǎ(起码), zuì qǐ mǎ(最起码) ” in Chinese.

zuì  shǎo                                 zhì shǎo 

 最     少 (Minimum)                 至   少 (at least)

qǐ mǎ                                    zuì qǐ mǎ

起 码 (at least)                     最  起  码(at least)

1.   nǐ měi tiān bì xū zuì shǎo liàn xí sān shí fēn zhōng.

         你   每  天   必 须  最    少     练  习  三   十  分      钟

         (You must practice each day for a minimum of 30 

           minutes.)

2.   tā gōng zuò zuì xīn kǔ, dàn suǒ dé bào chóu què zuì 

    他    工     作   最   辛  苦,  但    所   得   报     酬     却   最    

   shǎo.

  少. (He worked hardest but was paid least.)

3.   rú yù qǔ xiāo yù yuē, qǐng zhì shǎo tí qián

如 欲  取   消   预   约，  请    至    少  提   前 

24 xiǎo shí gào zhī.

24   小    时   告   知。

(We require at least a 24 hour advance notification of cancellation.)

4.   nǐ měi yuè zhì shǎo dú yī běn shū.

你   每   月   至    少   读 一   本    书.

(You have to read at least one book per month.)

5.   zhè tàng lǚ xíng qǐ mǎ de 10 tiān.

  这   趟   旅   行  起  码  得 10  天。

(The trip will take ten days, at least.)

6.   nǐ qǐ mǎ xū yào 1 wàn yuán.

    你起  码  需   要 1   万     元。

(You'll need at least ten thousand yuan.)

7.   nǐ bù xū yào xǐ huan wǒ, kě shì qǐng nǐ gěi wǒ

    你 不 需 要 喜 欢  我,  可 是  请 你 给 我

zuì qǐ mǎ de zūn zhòng.

 最 起  码  的   尊     重.

(You are not necessary to like me, but respect is appreciated.)

8.   zuì qǐ mǎ yě yào chuān yī jiàn yǒu lǐng zi de chèn shān.

 最  起 码 也   要       穿   一  件    有    领  子 的    衬     衫.

(At the very least, wear a collared shirt.)

Today’s idiom is:

yǎn ěr dào líng

  掩 耳   盗   铃

Literally, means----plug one's ears while stealing a bell; steal a bell while covering one's ears -- self-deception; The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.

zhè jiǎn zhí shì yǎn'ěr dào líng.

  这   简   直  是   掩  耳   盗   铃.

(This is just like a thief covering his ears when stealing a bell.)

Ok, that is all for today.

xiè  xiè!

 谢   谢 ! (Thanks!)

xià  cì  jiàn 

 下  次  见!  (See you next time!)