起码

起码 means 'at least' or 'minimum' in English, used to indicate the lowest acceptable or possible amount, level, or standard.

The character 起 (qǐ) originally meant 'to rise' or 'to begin,' while 码 (mǎ) is a measure word often used for items or units. Together, 起码 conveys the idea of a starting point or minimum requirement.

It is commonly used in daily conversations to set a baseline, such as in pricing, time, or effort. For example, it might be used when discussing how long something should take or how much something should cost. It reflects a practical and pragmatic approach to setting limits in Chinese culture.