差
chà
To lack, to be inferior
How to say “almost” in Chinese with 差点 (chàdiǎn)
Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate
差点 (chà diǎn) — almost
HSK 4Adverbs
Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate
HSK 4Adverbs差点 (chà diǎn) — almost
Rule structure
差点 (chàdiǎn) means “almost” and shows that a result was very close. With an undesirable result, 差点 (chàdiǎn) usually means it almost happened but did not. 差点没 (chàdiǎn méi) is often used with a desirable result and can mean that the speaker almost failed to achieve it but did achieve it. The meaning depends on whether the result is desirable or undesirable.
Rule structure
差点 (chàdiǎn) means “almost” and shows that a result was very close. With an undesirable result, 差点 (chàdiǎn) usually means it almost happened but did not. 差点没 (chàdiǎn méi) is often used with a desirable result and can mean that the speaker almost failed to achieve it but did achieve it. The meaning depends on whether the result is desirable or undesirable.
Examples
我差点忘了今天有考试。
Wǒ chàdiǎn wàng le jīntiān yǒu kǎoshì.
I almost forgot there’s an exam today.
他差点摔倒。
Tā chàdiǎn shuāidǎo.
He almost fell.
Examples
我差点忘了今天有考试。
Wǒ chàdiǎn wàng le jīntiān yǒu kǎoshì.
I almost forgot there’s an exam today.
他差点摔倒。
Tā chàdiǎn shuāidǎo.
He almost fell.
Practice
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Characters
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “almost” in Chinese with 差点?
Use the structure: Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate. For example: 我差点忘了今天有考试。 — “I almost forgot there’s an exam today”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我差点忘了今天有考试。 — “I almost forgot there’s an exam today”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.