adverbial N3 common casualpolitewritten

せめて — at least (if only)

せめて

Meaning

Key sentence

I want to see you, even if just for a moment.

Usage

Expresses a wish for a bare minimum; pairs with だけでも / くらい and a volitional or desiderative ending (〜たい, 〜ほしい, 〜よう).

Examples

Even if I can't do it all, I want to at least finish half.
I wish you'd told me at least a little sooner.

Easily confused with

少なくとも 少なくとも = a factual 'at least (this much)' stating a minimum; せめて = an emotional wish for a minimum when the ideal can't be had.

See せめて in real sentences

Jengo shows せめて the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.

Study it in Jengo

Sources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.

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