What it means
せめて expresses a minimum that the speaker considers acceptable, desirable, or necessary. It can mean “at least” or “at the very least” and is often used when the speaker is making a request, expressing a hope, or accepting less than an ideal result. It commonly appears before a noun phrase, amount, or requested action, and it often combines with expressions such as だけは or だけでも.
Usage note
せめて often carries an emotional nuance of urging or compromise, whereas 少なくとも more often states an objective minimum. Do not assume that the two expressions are interchangeable in every context.
How to use it
せめて住所だけは教えてください。
Please tell me at least your address.
せめて二時間は待ってください。
Please wait for at least two hours.
せめて住所だけは教えてくれ。
Please tell me at least your address.
せめて二時間は待ってくれ。
Please wait for at least two hours.
Example sentences
せめて締め切りだけは守ってください。
At least, please meet the deadline.
せめて一度だけは実物を見てください。
At least, please look at the actual item once.
せめて今週中に返事だけはください。
At least, please give me a reply by the end of this week.
せめて週末だけは家族と夕食を食べてください。
At least, please eat dinner with your family on the weekend.