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 missed it, but I didn't.)I almost didn't make the train.
• 今天我差点儿没赶上飞机。I almost missed it, but I didn't.) I almost missed the plane.
• 我儿子差点儿 没考上大学。 He just barely passed the exam.)My son almost failed the college entrance examination.
• 美国 队 很 有 实力，我们 差点 没 赢。 We almost didn't win, but we did win.)The American team is very good, we almost didn't win.
• 时间 太 紧，这个 项目差点儿 没 做 完。 We almost didn't finish, but we did.)Time was almost up, we almost didn't finish this project.
• 这次对手太强了，我们队差点儿没赢。But we won.)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。But I did get it.)The waiting line is too long. I almost didn't get it.
• 路上 堵车，我 差点儿 没 按时 到 。But I just barely made it on time.)The traffic is bad; I was almost late.

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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