least
adverb
Definitions of least adverb
- B1
Smaller in amount, extent, or significance than all others.
最少;最小
Among all the candidates, he seems the least likely to win.
在所有候选人中,他似乎最不可能获胜。
The accident occurred when we least anticipated it.
事故发生在我們最没有预料到的时候。
That was the news she least wanted to receive.
那是她最不想收到的消息。
pronoun
Definitions of least pronoun
- B1
Smaller in amount, extent, or significance than all others.
最少;最小
Among all the candidates, he seems the least likely to win.
在所有候选人中,他似乎最不可能获胜。
The accident occurred when we least anticipated it.
事故发生在我們最没有预料到的时候。
That was the news she least wanted to receive.
那是她最不想收到的消息。
determiner
Definitions of least determiner
- B1
Smaller in amount, extent, or significance than all others.
最少;最小
Among all the candidates, he seems the least likely to win.
在所有候选人中,他似乎最不可能获胜。
The accident occurred when we least anticipated it.
事故发生在我們最没有预料到的时候。
That was the news she least wanted to receive.
那是她最不想收到的消息。
Idioms
- not the least
Used to emphasize a complete lack of something, particularly with nouns, indicating 'not at all' or 'not in the slightest'.
(与名词连用,表示强调)一点也不,丝毫都不
• He doesn't have the least remorse for what he did.
他对他做的事一点也不感到后悔。
- not in the least
not at all; not in any degree or manner.
丝毫没有,一点也不。
• "Are you disappointed about not getting the promotion?" "Not in the least."
「你对没有得到升职感到失望吗?」「一点也不。」
- Least said soonest mended
This idiom suggests that it is often best to say as little as possible about a delicate or problematic issue in order to avoid prolonging it or making it worse.
表示对于不愉快的事情,谈论越少,越容易被忘记。
• About that argument, I think it's best if we keep quiet. 'Least said soonest mended,' right?
关于那场争吵,我觉得我们最好保持沉默。『少说为妙』,对吧?
- it's the least I can do
A polite expression used to acknowledge someone's thanks, often implying that one feels they should have done more to assist.
微不足道(的)
• "Thank you for taking care of my cat." "It's the least I can do, considering how much you've helped me before."
「谢谢你照顾我的猫。」「这是我应该做的,考虑到你之前帮了我这么多。」
- at least
Indicates a quantity or degree that is not less than a specified amount.
至少
• This jacket will cost you at least $200.
这件夹克至少要花你200美元。
- least said soonest mended
This idiom suggests that it is often best to say very little about a problematic situation, as discussing it further can make it worse; the less said about a delicate matter, the sooner it will be forgotten.
用来表示对于不愉快的情况,若人们停止谈论它,便能很快被遗忘。
• It's best we keep quiet about the argument; least said soonest mended, after all.
关于这场争吵,我们最好保持沉默;毕竟,少说为妙。
- the least someone can/could do
the minimum acceptable action or behavior that one should do in a particular situation.
至少应该做的事
• In this situation, the least you could do is apologize.
在这种情况下,你至少应该道歉。