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mínimo

/MEE-nee-mo/

minimum

A tiny single red apple sitting alone inside a large, empty wooden crate, illustrating the smallest required amount.

The adjective mínimo describes the smallest required amount, like this single apple.

mínimo(Adjective)

mA1

minimum

?

describing an amount or requirement

Also:

smallest

?

size or quantity

,

least

?

degree or importance

📝 In Action

Solo necesitamos la cantidad mínima de agua para el café.

A1

We only need the minimum amount of water for the coffee.

El daño fue mínimo, no te preocupes.

A2

The damage was minimal (very small), don't worry.

Puso un esfuerzo mínimo en la tarea.

B1

He put minimal effort into the assignment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mínima (minimum (feminine))
  • menor (smaller)
  • escaso (scarce)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • esfuerzo mínimo – minimum effort
  • requisito mínimo – minimum requirement
  • salario mínimo – minimum wage

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'mínimo' changes its ending to match the noun it describes: use 'mínima' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la ayuda mínima') and 'mínimos/mínimas' for plural nouns.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up Adjective and Adverb

Mistake: "Hizo un trabajo muy mínimo."

Correction: Hizo un trabajo muy pequeño/escaso. While 'mínimo' means 'least possible,' it usually describes nouns (a minimum amount) and is less common for general descriptions where 'pequeño' (small) or 'escaso' (scarce) might be better.

⭐ Usage Tips

Superlative Function

'Mínimo' already means 'the least possible,' so you usually don't need 'el más' (the most) before it. It's already the ultimate smallness!

A small figure standing precisely on a brightly painted, thick red line on the ground, representing the lowest limit or threshold.

As a noun, el mínimo refers to the lowest acceptable limit or requirement.

mínimo(Noun)

mB1

the minimum

?

lowest limit or requirement

Also:

low point

?

lowest value reached

📝 In Action

El mínimo para obtener la beca es 80 puntos.

B1

The minimum (score) to get the scholarship is 80 points.

Llegamos al mínimo histórico de temperaturas.

B2

We reached the historical low point for temperatures.

Como mínimo, tienes que llamar a tus padres.

B1

At the very least, you have to call your parents. (Common phrase: 'como mínimo')

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • límite inferior (lower limit)
  • escaso (scarcity)

Antonyms

  • máximo (the maximum)
  • total (the total)

Common Collocations

  • el mínimo legal – the legal minimum
  • cubrir el mínimo – to meet the minimum
  • por lo mínimo – at least

💡 Grammar Points

Used with Articles

When used as a noun, 'mínimo' almost always needs the masculine article 'el' or 'un' before it, as in 'El mínimo es suficiente' (The minimum is enough).

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'At Least' Phrase

A very useful fixed phrase is 'como mínimo' or 'por lo mínimo,' which means 'at least' or 'at the very least.' Use this to state the absolute lowest requirement: 'Necesitas dos horas como mínimo.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mínimo

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es la traducción más adecuada para 'como mínimo'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

minimizar(to minimize) - verb
mínimamente(minimally) - adverb
minimización(minimization) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'mínimo' always mean 'smallest'?

Yes, it always refers to the smallest degree, quantity, or size possible or acceptable. It is the opposite of 'máximo' (maximum).

How do I say 'minimally' or 'in a minimal way'?

You can use the adverb 'mínimamente' or the adjective 'mínimo' inside a phrase like 'con el mínimo esfuerzo' (with the minimum effort).