A meno che or almeno?
A meno always goes before che + a verb in the subjunctive and means the same as the expressions salvo che or eccetto che (unless).
Arriveremo tardi al cinema, a meno che/salvo che non prendiamo un taxi.
We'll arrive late at the movie theater, unless we/if we don't take a taxi.
Anna non saprà mai la verità, a meno che/eccetto che non gliela dica tu.
Anna will never know the truth, unless you tell her.
Almeno has a different meaning and is used as follows:
- To introduce a qualification of what has just been said, often as an equivalent of quanto meno or per lo meno (at least, at any rate).
Farà bello, almeno/quanto meno fino a domani.
The weather will be fine, at least until tomorrow.
Anna non tornerà a Milano, almeno/per lo meno così dicono.
Anna will not return to Milan, at least that's what they say.
- To substitute the expression come minimo (at least).
Ho corso almeno/come minimo cinque chilometri.
I've run at least five kilometers.
Compra almeno/come minimo un litro di latte.
Buy at least a liter of milk.
Note: a meno che (unless) is usually followed by non (no, not), which only reinforces the meaning of the expression, rather than negating the sentence.
Partiremo domani per la montagna, a meno che non piova.
We will leave for the mountains tomorrow, unless it's raining.
Non gli chiederò scusa, a meno che non mi implori.
I will not apologize to him unless he begs me.
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