- semete at least, at most, (even) just
Use せめて in spoken or written Japanese to express a minimum expectation or wish, often when the actual amount/effort falls short.
せめて一度は富士山を見たい。
Semete ichido wa Fujisan o mitai.
I want to see Mount Fuji at least once.
せめて電話くらいしてほしい。
Semete denwa kurai shite hoshii.
I wish you would at least call me.
⚖️ Often confused with 少なくとも (sukunakutomo), but せめて carries a stronger emotional wish or dissatisfaction.
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Found in a wide range of contexts. Useful for building reading and listening fluency.
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