せめて

Adverb (Intermediate 383)

An adverb that indicates the speaker/writer's minimally satisfactory level.

Equivalent: At least

百点とは言いませんが、せめて八十点ぐらいは取りたいです。
I am not saying that I want to get 100 points, but I would like to get at least 80 points.
せめて鍋(だけ)でもあれば、ご飯が炊けるんですが。
If we had a pan, at least, we would be able to cook rice.
せめて両親には分かってもらいたいんですが。
I wanted at least my parents to understand me.
せめて一年に十日ぐらい、休暇が取れるといいんですが。
I wish I could take at least 10-day's leave each year.
日本にいる間に、せめて一度ぐらいは会いに来て下さい。
Please come and see me at least once while you are in Japan.
美人でなくてもいいけど、せめて、可愛らしい女の子と結婚したい。
It's alright if she is not a real beauty. But I would like to marry at least a cute girl.
日本に行くんだから、せめて、日本語だけは勉強して来ようと思っています。
I am going to Japan, so, I'm thinking of learning at least Japanese.
せめてもう後一日生きていたら、父の死に目に会えたのに。
If my father lived at least one day longer I could have been with him when he died.
あんなに広い家でなくてもいいけど、せめてもう一部屋あるといいのに。
I don't need that spacious house, but I wish I had at least another room.
一月もご厄介になるんですから、せめて、皿洗いぐらいはさせて下さい。
I'm going to stay at your house for a month, so please let me wash the dishes, at least.
せめて日本語で日常会話ぐらいは出来るようになりたいです。
I would like to become able to engage in daily conversation in Japanese.

Formation

(i) せめてNumber+Counter (ぐらい)~
せめて二時間ぐらいAt least two hours
(ii) せめてNoun{ぐらい/(だけ)でも}
せめて新聞{ぐらい/(だけ)でも}At least a newspaper
(iii) せめてNoun Particle
せめて妻にAt least to my wife

Notes