---
title: "Qima Meaning: 起码 (qǐmǎ) Means “at least”"
description: "起码 (traditional 起碼, qǐmǎ) means “at least; minimum; basic”. Hear its tones, see what 起 and 码 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qima"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 起码 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

起码 qǐmǎ

## at least; minimum; basic

## Its characters

1. 起 qǐ to rise
2. 码 mǎ code

## In a sentence

从这儿到车站起码要半小时。 It takes at least half an hour to get to the station from here.

所以，倘若你实在想不起某个量词，用“个”**起码**不会错得太离谱。

From [中文为什么要用量词？ · Why does Chinese have measure words?](https://mandarinthewild.com/library/read/why-does-chinese-have-measure-words#library-word-753-755)

[More about 起码](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E8%B5%B7%E7%A0%81)

## More words with 起 or 码

- [对不起 duìbuqǐ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/duibuqi)
- [二维码 èrwéimǎ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/erweima)
- [发起 fāqǐ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/faqi)
- [号码 hàomǎ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/haoma)
- [崛起 juéqǐ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jueqi)
- [了不起 liǎobuqǐ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/liaobuqi)
- [码头 mǎtóu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/matou)
- [密码 mìmǎ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/mima)
- [起步 qǐbù](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qibu)
- [起初 qǐchū](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qichu)

## Keep 起码 for Review

A free account keeps it, and Review brings it back just before you’d forget it.

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