精々

• 読み: せいぜい
• ローマ字: seizei
• 漢字の分解: 精 (sei) — spirit, energy, essence (repeated for emphasis)
• 発音: /seː.zeː/

意味

At most; at best. Sets an upper limit, often with a slightly dismissive tone.

An adverb that establishes a maximum or ceiling, implying the actual amount is modest or underwhelming. Can carry a mildly negative nuance — suggesting that even the best-case scenario is limited. Also used to encourage someone to do their utmost (精々頑張れ, do your best).

例文

1. 今月は精々五万円しか貯金できない。
2. この距離なら精々十分で着くだろう。
3. 休みの日は精々買い物に行くくらいだ。

使い方ガイド

場面: estimation, limits, encouragement

トーン: understated

起源と歴史

Formed by reduplication of 精 (sei, spirit/energy/essence). The kanji combines 米 (rice) and 青 (blue/pure), originally meaning refined rice — the purest essence. The reduplicated form conveys 'to the utmost extent.'

文化的背景

時代: Edo

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal