At least / unless / lest...

Question

Here are some expressions that I've been trying to understand in Spanish, which in English use the concept of 'less'. Caution some of the Spanish may be wrong, so I would be grateful for any corrections:

At Least

The English expression at least can be used (a) before/with a verb, signifying that something can be done despite circumstances, or (b) before/with a number/quantity, signifying a minimal quantity. In Spanish, it seems at least is expressed as por lo menos (or perhaps sometimes al menos (?)), for example:

• Although ill, at least I am here = Aunque estoy enfermo, por lo menos estoy aquí
• I wish to buy at least three presents = Quiero comprar tres regalos por lo menos

Unless

The English expression unless can be used to suggest a prerequisite condition on which something else depends. In Spanish it seems unless is expressed as a menos que + subjunctive or as a no ser que + subjunctive (unless in English can be used with or without the subjunctive; its use with the subjunctive is optional and rarer). A simpler way to express a similar idea in Spanish is to use si no with the indicative, for example:

• I cannot go there unless I am well = No puedo ir allí a menos que esté sano
• I cannot go there unless I am well = A no ser que esté sano, no puedo ir allí
• I cannot go there unless I am well = Si no estoy sano, no puedo ir allí

Lest

The English expression less is well-known yet seldom used, perhaps most common in the phrase lest we forget, reserved for war memorials, signifying that the memorial is there to serve as a reminder in case we would otherwise forget. In Spanish it seems lest is expressed as para que no + subjunctive, for example:

• Lest we forget = para que no olividemos

:) - ian-hill, Jun 2, 2015

Great post! - rac1, Jun 2, 2015

Ditto to Rac1's comment. - gringojrf, Jun 2, 2015

Answer 1

From my dictionary.

You should at least write to her. Deberías escribirle al menos.

unless / a menos que, a no ser que, si no

She was afraid lest he might drown. / Tenía miedo de que él se pudiera ahogar.

;-) - Faldaesque, Jun 2, 2015

I can't understand the use of "lest" really well - txustaboy, Jun 2, 2015

'Lest' isn't really used much in spoken English. You could translate it as meaning 'so' or 'in order that' or even just 'that' as in Ian's example... ;-) - Faldaesque, Jun 2, 2015

It's from Anglo-Saxon 'þy læs þe', meaning 'whereby less that'. It's really a throwback to that language... ;-) - Faldaesque, Jun 2, 2015

O. .. por lo menos deberías escribirle ;) - FELIZ77, Jun 3, 2015

Answer 2

Members could at least make an attempt at learning by using this tool lest they fail their exams. Just bumping mate.

:-) - Faldaesque, Jun 4, 2015