至少
zhìshǎo · HSK 3
at least
⬇️ 至 = reach/arrive + 少 = few/little → 'reaching the few' = at least
至 means 'to reach/arrive at' and 少 means 'few' or 'little'. Together they mark the lower bound: the count reaches at least this small amount. Compare 最少 (zuìshǎo, fewest/minimum).
至 — arrow 矢 inverted + ground 一
至 is a pictograph showing an arrow (矢) landing point-down on the ground (一), depicting the moment it reaches its target. The original meaning was 'to arrive' or 'to reach,' which extended to 'utmost' or 'extreme' — the point beyond which one cannot go further.
少 — 小 (small) + 丿 (slash stroke)
Originally a pictograph showing four small dots or grains, suggesting 'few' or 'small in quantity'. Over time it became distinguished from 小 (small) by adding a downward stroke. The core meaning shifted toward 'few' or 'little in number', while 小 kept the sense of physical smallness.