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Grammar detail: せめて

せめて  at least
57 words
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せめて
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explanation
means
at least ~
せめて carries an implication of emotional attachment to a desired amount of something, or of complaint that something is not the case. For example:
じかん
時間
あまりないわかるけどせめてげんかん
せいそう
清掃
してほしい
んだ
I understand there isn't much time, but I want you to at least clean the entrance.
せめて
ねん
いちど
一度
でもスミ
から
たよ
便
あればねぇ
I would love to hear from Sumiko at least once a year ...
こうどう
行動
うつ
まえ
せめて
わたし
けいかく
計画
そうだん
相談
してほしい

Before you go putting things into action, I'd like you to at least discuss the plan with me.
The more common
すく
なくとも does not have this same emotional implication - it is simply a dry expression of fact.
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Kanji used in this grammar

ショウ   すこ a little   すくない few   
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ジ   とき time, occasion   
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カン   ケン   あいだ interval, between   ま space, room   
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セイ   ショウ   きよ clean, clear   きよめる purify   きよまる be purified   
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ソウ   は to sweep   
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ネン   とし year   
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イチ   イツ   ひと    ひと- one   
ド   ト   タク   degree   たび occasion, time   
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シ   ス   こ child   
便
convenience; tidings   ビン tidings   ベン convenience   たよ tidings, news   
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コウ   ギョウ   アン   ゆ    い to go   おこな to take place   
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ドウ   うご to move, to stir   うごかす to shift, to move   
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イ   shift   うつ    うつ to move   
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ゼン   まえ before   
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シ   わたくし    わたし I, myself   
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ケイ   はからう to arrange   はか to measure, compute   
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ガ   カク   draw
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ソウ   ショウ    minister   あい- mutual   
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ダン    discussion   
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