～せいぜい

seizei

At most; at best; to the extent possible

N2JLPT

Formation 接続

せいぜい+an amount or degree, usually an upper limit. A separate use before an action refers to doing as much as possible.

Full formation notes

せいぜい + an amount or degree, usually an upper limit. A separate use before an action refers to doing as much as possible.

Explanation 説明

Usually mark an upper limit in the speaker's estimate, suggesting no more than that. It can also refer to doing as much as possible. Advice with seizei may sound dismissive or sarcastic in some contexts, so use it carefully.

Examples 例文

この箱ばこに入はいる本ほんは、せいぜい十冊じゅっさつです。

This box can hold ten books at most.
ここから駅えきまでは、歩あるいてせいぜい十五分じゅうごふんです。

The station is at most a fifteen-minute walk from here.
今日きょう使つかえるお金かねは、せいぜい千円せんえんです。

I can spend no more than one thousand yen today.
一日いちにちに覚おぼえられる単語たんごは、せいぜい二十個にじゅっこです。

I can learn at most twenty words a day.
会場かいじょうに残のこっていたのは、せいぜい五人ごにんでした。

There were no more than five people left at the venue.

How related patterns differ 比較

に限る can recommend the best option or state a restriction. せいぜい marks an estimated upper limit. べき concerns what should be done, よりほかない means no alternative remains, and わけにはいかない concerns duties or principles.

Pattern	Meaning	Example
～せいぜい	At most; at best; to the extent possible	この箱ばこに入はいる本ほんは、せいぜい十冊じゅっさつです。 This box can hold ten books at most.
～ば～ほど	The more, the more	A「どんな家いえに住すみたいですか？」 A: What kind of house would you like to live in?
～ほど	To the extent that; so much that	好すきな子こに振ふられて、死しぬほど辛つらい。 Being rejected by the person I like hurts so much I feel I could die.
～に限る	Nothing is better than; be limited to	疲つかれた日ひは、早はやく寝ねるに限かぎります。 On a tiring day, nothing is better than going to bed early.
～べき/ べきではない	Should; ought to; should not	分わからないことは、早はやめに質問しつもんすべきです。 You should ask about things you do not understand early on.

Formation 接続

Explanation 説明

Examples 例文

How related patterns differ 比較

Related grammar lessons

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