Breakdown of Новая грамматическая тема: частица «хотя бы» помогает сказать «at least».
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new
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grammatical
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Questions & Answers about Новая грамматическая тема: частица «хотя бы» помогает сказать «at least».
What exactly is хотя бы?
Хотя бы is a fixed particle expression that usually means at least. It introduces the minimum that would be acceptable, possible, or expected.
For example:
- Дай хотя бы минуту. = Give me at least a minute.
- Позвони хотя бы завтра. = Call at least tomorrow.
It often adds a feeling like if nothing more, then this minimum.
Is хотя бы one word or two?
It is written as two words: хотя + бы.
Even though it is written separately, learners should usually treat хотя бы as one expression with one meaning: at least.
Why is it called a particle?
In Russian grammar, a particle is a small word or word combination that adds meaning, emphasis, limitation, attitude, or nuance, but does not change for case, gender, number, or person.
So хотя бы is called a particle because it does not name an object or action by itself. Instead, it modifies the meaning of another part of the sentence by adding the idea of a minimum.
Where do I put хотя бы in a sentence?