nominal

Compared meaning: extremely small in amount or degree (adjective).

比较义项：数量极小、最低限度的（形容词）。

• nominal 本词

  Emphasizes that an amount is only a token or formality, far less than the real value; typically used for fees, prices, or sums, not physical amounts or official limits.

  强调该数额只是象征性的、走个形式，远低于实际价值；常用于费用、价格或名义上的数额，而非物理数量或官方规定的限额。

  The membership fee is nominal, just a few dollars a year.

  会员费只是象征性的，一年才几美元。

• minimal

  Describes the smallest possible amount or degree of something in general, often physical quantity, effort, risk, or contact; a neutral, everyday word not tied to price or official rules.

  泛指某种数量或程度尽可能小，是一个中性词，可用于实物数量、努力、风险或接触等场合，与价格或官方规定无关。

  The apartment has minimal furniture, which makes it feel spacious and calm.

  这间公寓的家具减到了最低限度，让人感觉宽敞又平静。

• minimum

  Names the lowest amount, level, or degree that is required or officially allowed; usually functions before a noun such as minimum wage or minimum score, pairing naturally with rules and requirements.

  指要求或官方允许的最低数额、水平或程度；通常放在名词前作定语，如最低工资、最低分数，常与规定、要求搭配使用。

  You need a minimum score of seventy to pass this test.

  你需要达到七十分的最低分数才能通过这次考试。

• marginal

  Describes an amount so small it is close to the lowest acceptable or noticeable limit, often implying disappointment that it is barely worth mentioning; common for gains, improvements, differences.

  形容数量小到接近可接受或可察觉的最低限度，常暗示“几乎不值一提”的失望语气；常用于收益、改善、差异等方面。

  The new update made only a marginal improvement to the software.

  这次更新只让软件有了微小的改进。

Nominal, minimal, minimum and marginal all describe a very small amount. Nominal is a token amount far below the real value. Minimal is the neutral word for the smallest amount. Minimum is the lowest amount required. Marginal is so small it is barely noticeable, disappointing.

这四个词在“数量很小/最低限度”这个意义上很接近，但语气和用法不同：nominal 强调“象征性、名不副实”，常用于费用；minimal 是中性词，泛指数量或程度尽可能小；minimum 强调官方规定或要求的最低限度，常作定语；marginal 强调“少到几乎可以忽略不计”，常带有不够理想的语气。