No mínimo
No mínimo 30초 만에
- Used to define the lowest possible amount or degree in any given context.
- A fixed phrase that does not change for gender or number, making it easy to use.
- Commonly used with numbers, time, money, and to emphasize opinions or expectations.
- Essential for setting boundaries, negotiating, and expressing requirements in daily Portuguese life.
The Portuguese adverbial phrase no mínimo is a fundamental tool for expressing lower bounds, expectations, and essential requirements. Translated literally as 'at the minimum,' it functions identically to the English 'at least' when specifying a quantity, degree, or condition that must be met. It is composed of the contraction 'no' (em + o) and the noun/adjective 'mínimo'. This phrase is ubiquitous in daily life, from negotiating prices in a market to setting deadlines in a corporate environment in Lisbon or São Paulo.
- Literal Meaning
- In the minimum; the lowest point possible in a given context.
- Functional Meaning
- Used to indicate that while more is possible or desired, the stated amount is the absolute baseline.
Você deve dormir no mínimo oito horas por noite.
Understanding 'no mínimo' requires recognizing its role as a boundary setter. In Portuguese, precision is often balanced with social politeness. By using 'no mínimo', a speaker provides a clear floor for expectations without necessarily capping the ceiling. This is crucial in professional settings where 'no mínimo' defines the Scope of Work. For instance, if a boss says a project will take 'no mínimo duas semanas', they are managing expectations to prevent disappointment if it takes longer. It serves as a linguistic safety net.
In mathematical and logical contexts, 'no mínimo' corresponds to the 'greater than or equal to' symbol (≥). However, in emotional contexts, it can express indignation. If someone says 'Isso é, no mínimo, um absurdo!', they are saying that 'absurd' is the lowest possible description of the situation—it might actually be even worse. This dual use—quantitative and qualitative—makes it a versatile phrase for A2 learners to master. It allows for more nuanced communication than simple numbers alone.
- Contextual Usage
- Commonly used with time, money, distances, and abstract qualities like 'honesty' or 'effort'.
O carro custa no mínimo dez mil euros.
Using 'no mínimo' is structurally straightforward because it functions as an adverbial phrase that can be placed in several positions within a sentence, though it most commonly precedes the quantity or quality it modifies. For A2 learners, the most important rule is that 'no mínimo' does not change based on gender or number; it is an invariable phrase. Whether you are talking about 'uma maçã' (feminine singular) or 'dez carros' (masculine plural), the phrase remains 'no mínimo'.
- Positioning
- Usually placed directly before the number or adjective: 'No mínimo cinco'. Can also be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis: 'Precisamos de cinco, no mínimo'.
Para passar na prova, você precisa de no mínimo setenta por cento.
When modifying an adjective, 'no mínimo' adds a layer of critical assessment. For example, 'O filme foi, no mínimo, interessante' suggests that 'interesting' is the most basic compliment you can give, perhaps implying it was actually strange or provocative. This usage is common in reviews and debates. It acts as a qualifier that sets a baseline for the speaker's opinion. In this sense, it is often set off by commas to indicate a parenthetical thought.
In European Portuguese, you might hear 'pelo menos' slightly more frequently in casual conversation, but 'no mínimo' remains standard for technical, financial, or emphatic contexts. In Brazilian Portuguese, both are used interchangeably, though 'no mínimo' carries a slightly stronger weight of 'this is the absolute floor'. When writing, 'no mínimo' is preferred when you want to sound precise and objective.
- Common Verb Pairings
- Ter (to have), precisar (to need), custar (to cost), durar (to last), exigir (to demand).
A viagem dura no mínimo três horas de comboio.
You will encounter 'no mínimo' in almost every facet of Lusophone life. In the news, it is used to report statistics: 'O desemprego caiu no mínimo dois pontos percentuais'. In the supermarket, you might see signs like 'Leve no mínimo três unidades para ganhar o desconto'. It is a phrase of logic and commerce. If you are listening to a podcast about personal finance, 'no mínimo' will appear constantly when discussing savings rates or investment returns.
O preço da gasolina vai subir no mínimo cinco cêntimos amanhã.
In social settings, 'no mínimo' is used to express expectations of behavior. If a friend is late, someone might say, 'Ele deveria, no mínimo, ter ligado para avisar' (He should have, at least, called to warn us). Here, it carries a moral weight, suggesting a minimum standard of politeness. It is also common in academic settings; professors will tell students that an essay must have 'no mínimo mil palavras'.
- Workplace Context
- Used in project management: 'Precisamos de no mínimo três desenvolvedores para este projeto'.
Furthermore, in legal or bureaucratic documents, 'no mínimo' is the standard way to define mandatory periods or amounts. 'O contrato tem uma duração de no mínimo um ano'. If you are applying for a visa or a job in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will see this phrase in the requirements section constantly. It is the language of 'the bottom line'.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing 'no mínimo' with 'pelo menos'. While they are often synonyms, 'no mínimo' is more restrictive and quantitative. Another common mistake is using 'no menor' instead of 'no mínimo'. In Portuguese, 'menor' means 'smaller' or 'younger', while 'mínimo' is the superlative 'smallest/minimum'. You cannot say 'no menor cinco euros'; it must be 'no mínimo'.
- Mistake: 'Ao mínimo'
- Learners sometimes say 'ao mínimo' (to the minimum). While 'ao mínimo' exists in phrases like 'reduzir ao mínimo' (reduce to the minimum), it cannot replace 'no mínimo' (at least).
Incorrect: Eu quero ao mínimo dois pães.
Correct: Eu quero no mínimo dois pães.
Another subtle mistake involves the placement of the phrase when using it for emphasis. If you place it incorrectly, it can change the meaning of the sentence. 'No mínimo, eu quero café' (At least I want coffee—implying even if I don't get anything else) vs 'Eu quero no mínimo café' (I want at least coffee—implying I might want something better than coffee). Context usually clarifies this, but placement matters for nuance.
Finally, learners often forget the accent on 'mínimo'. In Portuguese, proparoxytone words (words stressed on the third-to-last syllable) always have an accent. Writing 'no minimo' without the accent is a common spelling error that marks you as a beginner. Always remember the 'í'.
To truly master 'no mínimo', you must understand its relationship with other comparative and superlative phrases. The most direct synonym is 'pelo menos'. While 'no mínimo' sounds more like a mathematical limit, 'pelo menos' is often used for consolation or relief. For example, 'Pelo menos não choveu' (At least it didn't rain) is more natural than 'No mínimo não choveu'.
- Comparison: No mínimo vs. Pelo menos
- 'No mínimo' is for floors and limits. 'Pelo menos' is for 'at the very least' in both quantitative and qualitative/emotional contexts.
- Opposite: No máximo
- Meaning 'at most'. 'O jantar custa no máximo vinte euros'.
Você deve beber no mínimo dois litros de água, mas no máximo quatro.
Another related phrase is 'ao menos', which is more common in European Portuguese and literary contexts. It is very similar to 'pelo menos'. Then there is 'sequer', which means 'even' or 'at least' in negative sentences, such as 'Ele nem sequer olhou para mim' (He didn't even look at me). Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right level of formality and emotion.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Contractions (em + o = no)
Superlatives
Adverbial placement
Accents in proparoxytones
Invariable phrases
수준별 예문
Eu quero no mínimo dois pães.
I want at least two breads.
Used with a simple number and noun.
Custa no mínimo cinco euros.
It costs at least five euros.
Used with the verb 'custar'.
Preciso de no mínimo um minuto.
I need at least one minute.
Used with 'precisar de'.
No mínimo três pessoas vêm.
At least three people are coming.
Placed at the start of the sentence.
Beba no mínimo um copo de água.
Drink at least one glass of water.
Imperative mood.
O ônibus passa no mínimo duas vezes.
The bus passes at least twice.
Frequency expression.
Tenho no mínimo dez reais.
I have at least ten reais.
Possession with 'ter'.
No mínimo, diga 'olá'.
At least say 'hello'.
Used for a minimum social requirement.
Você deve estudar no mínimo uma hora.
You should study at least one hour.
Modal verb 'dever' + 'no mínimo'.
O hotel fica a no mínimo dez quilômetros.
The hotel is at least ten kilometers away.
Distance expression.
Ela trabalha no mínimo oito horas.
She works at least eight hours.
Describing a routine.
O bolo precisa de no mínimo três ovos.
The cake needs at least three eggs.
Recipe requirement.
No mínimo, o filme é divertido.
At least the movie is fun.
Qualifying an adjective.
Precisamos de no mínimo quatro cadeiras.
We need at least four chairs.
Plural noun.
A temperatura está no mínimo em vinte graus.
The temperature is at least twenty degrees.
Describing weather/state.
Espere no mínimo dez minutos.
Wait at least ten minutes.
Time duration.
O projeto vai demorar no mínimo um mês.
The project will take at least a month.
Future expectation.
Isso é, no mínimo, uma falta de respeito.
That is, at least, a lack of respect.
Parenthetical emphasis.
Você deveria ganhar no mínimo o salário médio.
You should earn at least the average salary.
Conditional 'deveria'.
No mínimo, tente ser pontual amanhã.
At least try to be punctual tomorrow.
Setting a behavioral floor.
A empresa exige no mínimo dois anos de experiência.
The company requires at least two years of experience.
Formal requirement.
O preço subiu no mínimo vinte por cento.
The price rose at least twenty percent.
Percentage modification.
Eles viajam no mínimo uma vez por ano.
They travel at least once a year.
Adverbial frequency.
No mínimo, poderíamos ter ido ao parque.
At least we could have gone to the park.
Expressing regret/alternatives.
A proposta é, no mínimo, controversa.
The proposal is, at least, controversial.
Nuanced adjective modification.
Para ser sócio, deve-se investir no mínimo mil euros.
To be a partner, one must invest at least a thousand euros.
Passive 'se' + investment context.
No mínimo, a situação exige cautela.
At least, the situation demands caution.
Abstract noun modification.
O autor escreveu no mínimo dez livros premiados.
The author wrote at least ten award-winning books.
Quantifying achievements.
A lei prevê no mínimo cinco anos de prisão.
The law provides for at least five years in prison.
Legal context.
No mínimo, ele deveria ter se desculpado.
At least, he should have apologized.
Compound conditional.
O evento atraiu no mínimo cinco mil participantes.
The event attracted at least five thousand participants.
Large number quantification.
Isso vai custar, no mínimo, a sua reputação.
That will cost, at least, your reputation.
Metaphorical cost.
A reforma tributária é, no mínimo, labiríntica.
The tax reform is, at least, labyrinthine.
Sophisticated vocabulary.
No mínimo, o réu agiu com negligência.
At least, the defendant acted with negligence.
Legal terminology.
O impacto ambiental será, no mínimo, devastador.
The environmental impact will be, at least, devastating.
Strong adjective for emphasis.
Exige-se no mínimo um conhecimento enciclopédico.
At least an encyclopedic knowledge is required.
Formal passive construction.
No mínimo, a descoberta abre novos horizontes.
At least, the discovery opens new horizons.
Idiomatic expression.
A decisão foi, no mínimo, precipitada.
The decision was, at least, hasty.
Critical assessment.
O custo de vida subiu no mínimo exponencialmente.
The cost of living rose at least exponentially.
Adverbial modification.
No mínimo, esperava-se uma resposta célere.
At least, a swift response was expected.
Formal vocabulary ('célere').
A obra é, no mínimo, uma ode à melancolia.
The work is, at least, an ode to melancholy.
Literary metaphor.
No mínimo, a hermenêutica do texto é complexa.
At least, the hermeneutics of the text is complex.
Academic/Philosophical context.
O silêncio dele foi, no mínimo, ensurdecedor.
His silence was, at least, deafening.
Oxymoron for effect.
A conjuntura atual exige, no mínimo, resiliência.
The current situation demands, at least, resilience.
High-level socio-political context.
No mínimo, a tese carece de fundamentação empírica.
At least, the thesis lacks empirical foundation.
Academic critique.
O estratagema foi, no mínimo, maquiavélico.
The stratagem was, at least, Machiavellian.
Historical/Literary allusion.
No mínimo, a proposta peca por excesso de zelo.
At least, the proposal errs on the side of over-caution.
Idiomatic formal phrasing.
A magnitude do desastre é, no mínimo, imensurável.
The magnitude of the disaster is, at least, immeasurable.
Superlative emphasis.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
Can be used to express indignation or surprise.
Preferred over 'pelo menos' in technical contexts.
- Saying 'na mínima' for feminine nouns.
- Forgetting the accent on 'mínimo'.
- Using 'no menor' instead of 'no mínimo'.
- Confusing 'no mínimo' (at least) with 'o mínimo' (the minimum).
- Using 'ao mínimo' as a substitute for 'at least'.
팁
Fixed Phrase
Remember that 'no mínimo' never changes. It's a solid block of language. Don't try to make it agree with anything else in the sentence.
Rhythm
Say it fast. The 'no' and 'mí' should flow together. Practice saying 'no-MÍ-ni-mu' to get the stress right.
Accents Matter
The accent on the 'í' is non-negotiable. It changes the pronunciation and is required by Portuguese spelling rules.
Business Use
In a professional setting, use 'no mínimo' to be precise. It shows you have thought about the limits of a project or budget.
Pair with 'No Máximo'
Learn these two together. They are the 'floor' and 'ceiling' of your Portuguese quantitative vocabulary.
Listen for Indignation
When you hear 'no mínimo' followed by an adjective, pay attention to the speaker's tone. They might be being sarcastic or critical.
Numbers
Whenever you use a number, think if 'no mínimo' or 'no máximo' could make your sentence more specific.
Social Standards
Use it to describe social expectations, like how many gifts to bring or what time to arrive at a party.
Replacement
If you forget 'pelo menos', 'no mínimo' is almost always a safe and correct substitute.
Mathematical Thinking
Use it like the 'greater than or equal to' sign. It helps you organize your thoughts logically in Portuguese.
암기하기
어원
Latin 'minimus' (smallest), superlative of 'parvus' (small).
문화적 맥락
Often used with a bit more emphasis or 'ginga' in social debates.
Used frequently in formal bureaucracy and banking.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Quanto tempo você estuda no mínimo?"
"Quantos cafés você bebe no mínimo por dia?"
"No mínimo, o que você espera de um amigo?"
"Qual é o preço no mínimo de um carro hoje?"
"No mínimo, quantas horas você dorme?"
일기 주제
Escreva sobre três coisas que você faz no mínimo toda semana.
O que é, no mínimo, necessário para ser feliz?
Descreva seu trabalho: o que você faz no mínimo todos os dias?
No mínimo, como deve ser a sua casa ideal?
Quais são no mínimo três metas para este ano?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문'No mínimo' is often more quantitative and formal, focusing on a numerical floor. 'Pelo menos' is more versatile and used in emotional or consolatory contexts. For example, you say 'pelo menos você tentou' (at least you tried), not 'no mínimo você tentou'. Both are very common.
No, 'no mínimo' is a fixed adverbial phrase. It does not change gender or number, even if the following noun is feminine. You say 'no mínimo uma hora', not 'na mínima uma hora'.
Yes, you can. Placing it at the end often adds emphasis. For example, 'Eu quero cinco, no mínimo' (I want five, at least). It sounds slightly more insistent than placing it before the number.
It is always 'no mínimo' with an accent on the 'í'. In Portuguese, all proparoxytone words (stressed on the third-to-last syllable) must have a written accent. Skipping it is a common spelling mistake.
Use 'no máximo' when you want to set a ceiling or an upper limit. It is the direct opposite of 'no mínimo'. For example, 'O voo dura no máximo duas horas'.
Yes, it is used throughout the Lusophone world. While there might be slight differences in frequency compared to 'pelo menos', the meaning and grammar remain identical in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yes, it can. When it modifies an adjective, it often implies that the adjective is the bare minimum description, often suggesting something more extreme. 'Isso é no mínimo estranho' means it's at least strange, but likely worse.
You can say 'no mínimo dos mínimos'. This is an emphatic way to stress that you are talking about the absolute, most basic level possible.
Yes, 'ao menos' is a synonym. It is slightly more common in European Portuguese and in literature. It functions almost exactly like 'pelo menos' and 'no mínimo'.
Yes, but it's less common than 'sequer' or 'nem'. You might say 'Ele não tem no mínimo um euro', but 'Ele não tem nem sequer um euro' sounds more natural.
셀프 테스트 200 질문
Write a sentence using 'no mínimo' and the number 'dez'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about how many hours you sleep using 'no mínimo'.
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Translate: 'I need at least three days.'
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Use 'no mínimo' to describe a boring book.
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Write a sentence about a job requirement using 'no mínimo'.
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Explain the difference between 'no mínimo' and 'no máximo' in Portuguese.
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Write a short dialogue between a buyer and a seller using 'no mínimo'.
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Translate: 'That is, at least, very strange.'
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Use 'no mínimo' in a sentence about the weather.
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Write a sentence using 'no mínimo dos mínimos'.
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Describe your daily routine using 'no mínimo' twice.
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Write a formal email sentence about a deadline using 'no mínimo'.
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Translate: 'At least try to be on time.'
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Use 'no mínimo' to criticize a slow service.
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Write a sentence about a price using 'no mínimo'.
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Translate: 'You should drink at least two liters of water.'
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Write a sentence using 'no mínimo' and 'importante'.
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Describe a sports rule using 'no mínimo'.
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Write a sentence about your Portuguese goals using 'no mínimo'.
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Translate: 'The movie lasts at least two hours.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'at least five' in Portuguese.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'at least one hour' in Portuguese.
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Pronounce 'mínimo' correctly.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'at least try' in Portuguese.
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Say 'at least ten euros' in Portuguese.
Read this aloud:
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Use 'no mínimo' in a sentence about water.
Read this aloud:
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Use 'no mínimo' in a sentence about sleep.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'That is, at least, strange.'
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Say 'I need at least two days.'
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
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Say 'At least say hello.'
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
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Say 'It costs at least 100.'
Read this aloud:
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Say 'At least once a week.'
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Say 'At least three people.'
Read this aloud:
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Say 'At least be honest.'
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Say 'At least wait.'
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Say 'At least 10 kilometers.'
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Say 'At least 50%.'
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Say 'At least a month.'
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Say 'At least try it.'
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
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Say 'At least call me.'
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
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Listen and write: 'No mínimo dois.'
Listen and write: 'Custa no mínimo dez.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, tente.'
Listen and write: 'Dura no mínimo uma hora.'
Listen and write: 'Isso é no mínimo estranho.'
Listen and write: 'Preciso de no mínimo três.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, diga a verdade.'
Listen and write: 'Beba no mínimo água.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, seja pontual.'
Listen and write: 'O preço é no mínimo vinte.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo dos mínimos.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, ouça.'
Listen and write: 'Trabalho no mínimo oito horas.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, espere.'
Listen and write: 'No mínimo, coma algo.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 'no mínimo' is your go-to expression for setting a floor or a lower limit. Whether you're talking about 'no mínimo cinco euros' or 'no mínimo interessante', it ensures your listener knows the baseline of your statement.
- Used to define the lowest possible amount or degree in any given context.
- A fixed phrase that does not change for gender or number, making it easy to use.
- Commonly used with numbers, time, money, and to emphasize opinions or expectations.
- Essential for setting boundaries, negotiating, and expressing requirements in daily Portuguese life.
Fixed Phrase
Remember that 'no mínimo' never changes. It's a solid block of language. Don't try to make it agree with anything else in the sentence.
Rhythm
Say it fast. The 'no' and 'mí' should flow together. Practice saying 'no-MÍ-ni-mu' to get the stress right.
Accents Matter
The accent on the 'í' is non-negotiable. It changes the pronunciation and is required by Portuguese spelling rules.
Business Use
In a professional setting, use 'no mínimo' to be precise. It shows you have thought about the limits of a project or budget.
관련 콘텐츠
business 관련 단어
A seguir
A2다음에; 다음의. 나는 밥을 먹고 다음에 잘 것이다. 다음 텍스트를 읽으십시오.
ação
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acionista
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adiantar
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administrador
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A2그 회사는 작년에 인수되었습니다.