少说（也）……
at the very least; at a conservative guess
Structure
少说（也） （得／要／有／值） 数量
What it means
“At the very least”: a spoken estimate where the speaker names the lowest figure he thinks is true, which usually still sounds a lot.
How it is built
少说 (也) + 要／得 (děi)／有／是／值 + number, or straight before the number: 这套房子少说也值五百万 (this flat is worth five million at least).
When to use it
Spoken; very often with 也. 至少 says the same in any register, and 起码 is also spoken. Use it for guesses, not for figures you know exactly.
Watch out
Only for estimates: ✗ 他少说也是二十五岁零三个月. Do not confuse it with 少说话 or 少说两句, “say less, keep quiet”.
Examples
一场戏少说也要拍十几条。
A single scene takes a dozen or more takes at the very least.
这套房子在市中心，少说也值五百万。
This flat is in the city centre; it is worth five million at the very least.
从这儿开车去机场，少说得一个小时。
Driving from here to the airport takes an hour at least.
Learn this in Lesson 233 · HSK 9+: 横店的群演 (The extras of Hengdian)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →