最低

• Reading: さいてい
• Romaji: saitei
• Kanji breakdown: 最 (sai) — most, utmost; 低 (tei) — low, short
• Pronunciation: /sa.i.teː/

Meaning

Lowest; worst; minimum. Describes the bottom of a scale in quality, value, or degree.

Functions as a na-adjective, no-adjective, and noun. As an adjective: 最低な態度 (the worst attitude). As a noun: 最低でも三時間かかる (it takes at least three hours). Colloquially used as an insult: 最低! (You're the worst!). The antonym is 最高 (saikou, best/highest).

Examples

1. 今日の気温は最低五度まで下がるらしい。 Apparently today's temperature will drop to a low of five degrees.
2. あんなことを言うなんて最低だ。 Saying something like that is just the worst.
3. 最低限のマナーは守ってほしい。 I'd like you to at least observe basic manners.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, judgment, standards

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound of 最 (sai, most/utmost) and 低 (tei, low). 最 combines 冃 (hat) and 取 (take), suggesting selecting the topmost — here, the extreme bottom point.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal