Expressing "almost" using "chadian mei"

Logically, 差点没 is not that different from 差点. In fact, you shouldn't think of it as a single word; think of the 没 as belonging to what follows 差点 and it makes more sense. Still, it can be a little confusing, and is worth a closer look.

Logical Structure

Subject + 差点 + 没 [Verb Phrase]

Note that the "Verb Phrase" part is a desired result. So this structure is literally saying, "almost didn't [Verb Phrase]."

Also note that because you're using 没, you don't use 了 after the verb phrase.

Examples

• 我 差点 没 赶 上 火车。 I almost didn't make the train. (but I did)
• 今天我差点儿没赶上飞机。(The fact is opposite with "没赶上飞机") I almost missed the plane.
• 美国 队 很 有 实力，我们 差点 没 赢。 The American team is very good, we almost didn't win. (but we won)
• 时间 太 紧，这个 项目差点儿 没 做 完。 Time was almost up, we almost didn't finish this project. (but we did)
• 这次对手太强了，我们队差点儿没赢。(The fact is opposite with "没赢")This time, the opponent is so strong that our team almost didn't win.
• 排队的人太多了，差点儿没买到。(The fact is opposite with "没买到")The waiting line is too long. I almost didn't get it.
• 路上 堵车，我 差点儿 没 按时 到 。(The fact is opposite with "没按时到")The traffic is bad; I was almost late.
• 我儿子差点儿 没考上大学。 (My son passed the exam.)My son almost failed the college entrance examination.

See also

• Expressing "almost" using "chadian"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 112) →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 145) →buy

Websites

• http://wenku.baidu.com/view/129e1b0f7cd184254b35358f.html

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