最低|さいていsaitei[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjective, na-adjectiveleast; lowest; minimum
2. no-adjective, na-adjectiveworst
   こんな最低さいていの目めにあったことはないわ！↗

   This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me!
3. no-adjective, na-adjectiveawful; horrible; nasty; disgusting
   あの映画えいが、最低さいてい！↗

   That movie stinks!
4. adverbat the very least
   私は最低さいてい２マイルは歩あるける。↗

   I can walk at least two miles.

• Synonym最小限さいしょうげんNeutralThe smallest possible limit, often in 「最小限に抑える」; it stresses keeping things to a minimum, and unlike 「最低」 it never means 'worst'.
• Synonym最低限さいていげんNeutralThe bare minimum or bottom line, as in 「最低限のマナー」; it marks the least acceptable level, without the 'worst' or 'awful' senses of 「最低」.
• Synonym最小さいしょうNeutralSmallest in size or degree, as in 「最小サイズ」; a neutral, objective term with no evaluative sense, unlike the 'worst' meaning of 「最低」.
• Synonym最少さいしょうNeutralThe fewest in number, as in 「最少得点」. 「最低」 can also mark a numerical floor, as in 「最低三人」, and can additionally mean 'worst'.
• Synonym最下さいかWrittenWritten prose for the lowest position or rank, as in 「最下段」「最下位」. 「最低」 is broader, also covering 'worst' and 'at least'.
• Synonym最小限度さいしょうげんどWrittenSame meaning as 「最小限」 but more formal, found mainly in written prose.
• SynonymミニマムNeutralA loanword for the minimum, as in 「ミニマムな暮らし」; it often carries a minimalist flavor and lacks 「最低」's 'worst' sense.
• SynonymワーストNeutralA loanword for the worst, mostly in rankings and records, as in 「ワースト記録」; it covers only 「最低」's 'worst' sense.
• Synonym最悪さいあくNeutralThe worst or most terrible, as in 「最悪の事態」; it stresses how bad things can get. In casual speech 「最低」 can also brand a person's character as awful.
• Synonym少なくともすくなくともNeutralAn adverb meaning 'at least', as in 「少なくとも三日」; it takes only 「最低」's adverbial 'at least' sense, not 'lowest' or 'worst'.
• Synonym最低限度さいていげんどWrittenSame meaning as 「最低限」 but more formal, as in 「最低限度の生活」; it keeps the 'minimum' sense and never means 'worst'.
• Related下限かげんNeutralA lower limit or floor, as in 「下限を設ける」; used mostly for prices and ranges, it names a boundary rather than calling something lowest or worst.
• Related極小きょくしょうWrittenExtremely small, and in mathematics a local minimum; purely descriptive, with none of 「最低」's negative evaluation.
• Related最小値さいしょうちWrittenA mathematics and statistics term for the minimum value; it is not used to judge anything as bad, unlike 「最低」.
• Related少なくもすくなくもWrittenA written-style adverb meaning 'at least'; in everyday speech 「少なくとも」 is the normal choice.
• Relatedどん底どんぞこNeutralColloquial for rock bottom in one's circumstances or mood, as in 「どん底の生活」; it has a miserable nuance rather than meaning 'minimum'.
• Antonym最高さいこうNeutralThe highest or best — the direct opposite of 「最低」.

「最低」 covers the lowest/minimum, 'worst/awful', and adverbial 'at least'. For a bottom line use 「最低限」, for keeping things to a minimum 「最小限」, for the worst outcome 「最悪」, and for 'at least' 「少なくとも」. 「最高」 is its opposite.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 最もっとも低ひくいこと。（副詞ふくし的てきに用もちいて）最もっとも低ひくい場合ばあいで。
2. （「最低さいてい」「最低さいていでも」などの形かたちで副詞ふくし的てきに用もちいて）最もっとも小ちいさい場合ばあいでも。少すくなくとも。
3. 気分きぶん・調子ちょうし・品性ひんせいや品質ひんしつなどが極度きょくどに劣おとること。