How to Say “At Least” and “Under” in Japanese

When expressing ranges in Japanese, it’s important to know whether the number is included or not. Let’s go through the most common ones:

1️⃣ 以上いじょう = “X or more” / At least

👉 Includes the number

このアプリは18歳以上さいいじょうが対象たいしょうです。→ This app is for ages 18 and up.
5000円以上えんいじょうお買かい上あげで特典とくてんがあります。→ Get a special bonus with purchases over 5000 yen.

💡 Think: ≥

2️⃣ 以下いか = “X or less” / Up to

👉 Includes the number

小学生以下しょうがくせいいかは無料むりょうです。→ Elementary school students and younger are free.
荷物にもつは20kg以下いかにしてください。→ Please keep your luggage under 20 kg (20 or less).

💡 Think: ≤

3️⃣ 未満みまん = “Less than X” / Under

👉 Does NOT include the number

18歳未満さいみまんはご利用りよういただけません。→ Those under 18 cannot use this service.
所要時間しょようじかんは5分未満ふんみまんです。→ It takes less than 5 minutes.

💡 Think: <

4️⃣ 超こえる = “More than X” / Over

👉 Does NOT include the number

参加者さんかしゃは100人にんを超こえました。→ The number of participants exceeded 100.
気温きおんが30度どを超こえる日ひが続つづいています。→ Days with temperatures over 30°C are continuing.

💡 Think: >

5️⃣ 以内いない = “Within X”

👉 Includes the number

3日以内かいないにご連絡れんらくします。→ I’ll contact you within 3 days.
駅えきから徒歩とほ5分以内ふんいないです。→ It’s within a 5-minute walk from the station.

💡 Used a lot for time, limits, and deadlines

Quick Comparison

Word	Meaning	Includes number?	Math
以上いじょう	X or more	✅	≥
以下いか	X or less	✅	≤
未満みまん	Less than X	❌	<
超こえる	More than X	❌	>
以内いない	Within X	✅	≤

Bonus: Other Ways to Express “Conditions”

Japanese also has other expressions that don’t show ranges directly, but are often used in conditions or requirements, such as:

満みたす = to meet (a condition)
満みたさない = to not meet

Examples:

条件じょうけんを満みたす人ひと　→ People who meet the conditions
基準きじゅんを満みたさない場合ばあい　→ If it does not meet the standard

💡 These are often used in:

Rules
Applications
Formal requirements

Final Tip

If you remember just this, you’re good:

未満みまん・超こえる → do NOT include the number

以上いじょう・以下いか・以内いない → include the number

Next time you see a number in Japanese, take a second to check—does it include the limit or not? That’s the real key.

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