The adverbs 至少 and 至多
We can express “minimum” and “maximum” in different ways. One of them is to use the adverbs 至少 and 至多.
The adverbs 至少 
and 至多 indicate limitations.
We can use them before numerals, such as “five people at most”. We also may use them before verbs, such as “at least we have to come”.
and 至多 indicate limitations.
We can use them before numerals, such as “five people at most”. We also may use them before verbs, such as “at least we have to come”.Examples
她看起来至多二十岁
She looks at most 20 years old
tā kànqǐlái zhìduō èrshí suì
那儿至多有50个人
There were at most 50 people
nàr zhìduō yǒu wǔshí ge rén
你至少可以听一听他说些什么
At least you can listen to what he has to say
nǐ zhìshǎo kěyǐ tīng yì tīng tā shuō xiē shénme
The adverb 至多 is often followed by the word 只 to emphasize the meaning.
We can only use it with verbs, and can’t use it with numerals.
to emphasize the meaning.
We can only use it with verbs, and can’t use it with numerals.Examples
我们至多只能做到去年的一半
At most, we could only do half of what we did last year
wǒmen zhìduō zhǐ néng zuòdao qùnián de yíbàn
他不会爱上你的，至多只会和你做朋友
He will not fall in love with you. At best, he will just become a friend
tā bú huì àishang nǐ de, zhìduō zhǐ huì hé nǐ zuò péngyou
The adverb 至少 is often followed by the word 也 .
We can use it only with verbs and not with numerals.
.
We can use it only with verbs and not with numerals.Examples
他至少也该来道个别
He should at least come to say goodbye
tā zhìshǎo yě gāi lái dào ge bié
很多留学生至少也懂点基本汉语
A lot of foreign students know at least basic Chinese
hěn duō liúxuéshēng zhìshǎo yě dǒng diǎn jīběn hànyǔ
Sometimes 至少 may be preceded by the conjunction “but, although”. For example:
可
可是
但
但是
This combination can be translated as “but, at least”.
可是
但
但是
This combination can be translated as “but, at least”.Examples
尽管他穷，可是至少他很诚实
Although he was poor, at least he was honest
jǐnguǎn tā qióng, kěshì zhìshǎo tā hěn chéngshí
我没有亿万身家，但至少我读了很多书
I don't have a billion dollars, but at least I've read a lot of books
wǒ méi yǒu yì wàn shēnjiā, dàn zhìshǎo wǒ dú le hěn duō shū