adverb

mindestens

at least

Dieses Wort zeigt an, dass etwas nicht weniger sein darf, sondern auf jeden Fall so viel oder mehr sein muss.

The word mindestens is an adverb used to express a minimum limit or threshold. It is translated into English as "at least" or "at the minimum."

It is used in several contexts:

Quantity or numerical limit: It indicates the lowest acceptable or possible amount. Example: "Das kostet mindestens zehn Euro." (That costs at least ten euros.)
Emphasis on a situation: It is often used to highlight that even if things are not ideal, a certain condition is met. Example: "Er hat sich nicht entschuldigt, aber er hat mindestens angerufen." (He didn't apologize, but at least he called.)

Grammar: It is an adverb that does not change its form (invariable). It is typically placed before the numerical value or the clause it modifies.

Word origin: The word is a compound of two parts:

mindest-: Derived from the superlative form of the adjective "wenig" (little), which is "am wenigsten" (the least).
-ens: A suffix often used to turn adjectives or superlatives into adverbs (similar to the English "-ly" or ordinal numbering).

It literally translates to "at the least."