at(the) least, not(in) the least
这一对短语都包含least。
at(the) least: 意思是“至少”(指数量或程度上)也可解作“反正就是...”。它与 at the least,at the very least同义,可互换使用,但后两者有强调意味,远不及前者用得普遍。
- the total enrolment of the university in the academic year 1991-1992 was at least 10,000,including undergraduate and postgraduate students.
在1991-1992学年期间,该大学至少有一万名大学生,包括本科大学生和研究主。 - even if you cannot help him,you can give him encouragement at least.
就算你未能帮助他,至少你可以鼓励他。 - whether you like it or not,at the very least,this is reality.
不管你是否喜欢,反正这是个现实。
not(in) the least: 意思是“毫不”、“一点也不”(by no means),也可写作 not in the least.但后者一般不用作定语。现今,后者更常见。
- are you cold?—not(in)the least.
你冷吗?—一点也不冷。 - spanish has not the least interest for them.(作定语,没有in)
他们对西班牙语毫不感兴趣。