How to use almeno in Italian
Almeno is an adverb that can be translated into English as “at least”.
| Origin | From the Latin word al meno, “at least” |
| Pronunciation | /alˈmeːno/ |
Almeno
At least
Almeno in Italian: Examples
Costerà almeno 5 dollari.
It will cost at least five dollars.
Dovresti lavarti i denti almeno due volte al giorno.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Il viaggio durerà almeno cinque giorni.
The trip will last at least five days.
Ci vorrà almeno un’ora per andarci.
The trip will take at least an hour.
Potresti almeno dire “grazie”.
You could at least say “thank you.”
Almeno in Italian: Usage
Almeno, like “at least”, sets a lower limit that should not be crossed.
Veronica ha visto almeno cinquanta film l’anno scorso.
Veronica saw at least fifty movies last year.
In this example, Veronica has seen more than 50 movies. 50 is the lower limit introduced by almeno.
Ho sempre letto almeno due libri al mese.
I’ve always read at least two books a month.
In this other example, “2 books” is the lower limit.
Almeno, when preceded by se (if) in the expression se almeno, can also be translated as if only to introduce an intense longing or a regret for something that could have been but isn’t.
In this case, however, you must conjugate the main verb in the imperfect subjunctive tense (congiuntivo imperfetto).
Se solo non stesse nevicando così forte!
If only it weren’t snowing so hard!
(longing)
Se solo potessi guidare un’auto.
If only I could drive a car.
(longing)
Se solo avessi studiato di più per l’esame!
If only I had studied harder for the exam!
(regret)
Synonyms for almeno are se non altro and per lo meno, also spelled perlomeno. These are not 100% interchangeable with almeno, but can replace it in sentences where almeno introduces a whole clause rather than a noun.
Se non altro and perlomeno can also be translated into English as if anything.
Se non altro, il tetto non ha subìto danni.
If anything, the roof was not damaged.
(Almeno il tetto non ha subìto danni.)
Perlomeno non ha nevicato.
At least it didn’t snow.
(Almeno non ha nevicato.)
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