siquiera
“siquiera” means “at least” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
at least
Also: (not) even
📝 In Action
Saluda siquiera cuando entres.
B1At least say hello when you come in.
Desearía tener siquiera la mitad de tu talento.
B2I wish I had at least half of your talent.
Ni siquiera me llamó para mi cumpleaños.
B1He didn't even call me for my birthday.
El bebé no puede siquiera sentarse solo.
B2The baby can't even sit up by himself.
even if
Also: although
📝 In Action
No te creeré, siquiera me lo jures.
C1I won't believe you, even if you swear it to me.
Debemos respetar su decisión, siquiera no estemos de acuerdo.
C1We must respect their decision, although we may not agree.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: siquiera
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'siquiera' to mean 'at least'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the joining of two words: 'si' (if) and 'quiera' (a form of the verb 'querer', meaning 'to want'). So, its original meaning was something like 'if you will' or 'if one should want', which evolved to mean the minimum one would want, or 'at least'.
First recorded: 13th century
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'siquiera', 'al menos', and 'por lo menos'?
They all mean 'at least' and are often interchangeable. However, 'siquiera' can sometimes feel a bit more emotional or demanding, like you're asking for the bare minimum. 'Al menos' and 'por lo menos' are very neutral and are the most common ways to say 'at least' in everyday speech.
Do I always have to use 'ni' with 'siquiera' to say 'not even'?
Yes, always. The phrase is 'ni siquiera'. Just using 'siquiera' in a negative sentence doesn't mean 'not even'. For example, 'No me llamó siquiera' is less common and would mean 'He didn't call me, at least'. To say 'He didn't even call me', you must say 'Ni siquiera me llamó'.