Difference between revisions of "Expressing "almost" using "chadian""
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== Literal Meaning == | == Literal Meaning == | ||
| − | It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 (chà) has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means "to lack," or "to be short." So in Chinese, the way to say "almost" is to say, "lacking that little bit." If that "little bit" hadn't been lacking, it ''would have'' happened. But it ''was'' lacking, so it didn't happen。Technically, it ''almost'' happened. Just remember: The fact is always opposite with the verb phrase after "差点(儿)" | + | It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 (chà) has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means "to lack," or "to be short." So in Chinese, the way to say "almost" is to say, "lacking that little bit." If that "little bit" hadn't been lacking, it ''would have'' happened. But it ''was'' lacking, so it didn't happen。Technically, it ''almost'' happened. Just remember: The fact is always opposite with the verb phrase after "差点(儿)", whether the verb phrase contains "没" or not. |
== Basic Structure == | == Basic Structure == | ||
Revision as of 08:09, 14 March 2016
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Keywords
To say that something bad almost happened (but didn't), you can add the word 差点 (chàdiǎn) before the verb. You will also hear 差点儿 (chàdiǎnr) in northern China. There is no difference in meaning between 差点 and 差点儿.
Contents
Literal Meaning
It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 (chà) has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means "to lack," or "to be short." So in Chinese, the way to say "almost" is to say, "lacking that little bit." If that "little bit" hadn't been lacking, it would have happened. But it was lacking, so it didn't happen。Technically, it almost happened. Just remember: The fact is always opposite with the verb phrase after "差点(儿)", whether the verb phrase contains "没" or not.
Basic Structure
Subject + 差点(儿) + [Verb Phrase] + 了
Note that the "Verb Phrase" part of the structure is usually something bad or something you don't wish for, and that it didn't happen. You can put "就" after "差点儿" .
Examples
- 我们 队 差点儿 输了。 the team didn't loseOur team almost lost.
- 我们 队 差点儿 就输了。 the team didn't loseOur team almost lost.
- 雨 很 大，我 差点 回 不 来 了 。 I actually did make it back, thoughThe rain is so heavy I almost couldn't make it back.
- 雨 很 大，我 差点 就 回 不 来 了 。 I actually did make it back, thoughThe rain is so heavy I almost couldn't make it back.
- 路上 堵车，我 差点儿 迟到 了 。 I wasn't lateThe traffic is bad; I was almost late.
- 路上 堵车，我 差点儿 就 迟到 了 。 I wasn't lateThe traffic is bad; I was almost late.
- 我 差点儿 (就) 犯 了 一 个 大 错 。 I didn't make a big mistakeI nearly made a big mistake.
- 他 差点儿 (就) 看到 我们 了，好 险 ！ he didn't see usHe almost saw us. That was a close one!
- 看到 妈妈 走 了，她 差点儿 (就) 哭 了 。 she didn't cryWhen she saw mom leave, she almost cried.
- 我们 队 差点儿 (就) 赢了。 the team didn't win; this type of usage less commonOur team almost won.
- 都 怪 你，我差点儿 (就) 做 好 了。I haven't done yet.It's your fault. I almost done.
- 汽车 差点儿 就到机场 了，可是突然坏了 。 the bus didn't arriveThe bus almost arrived at the airport.It suddenly broke down.
Structure with 没
This can get confusing, even though it's really the same pattern (and same logic) with a little added complexity.
Subject + 差点(儿) + [没 + Verb Phrase]
This pattern goes beyond the difficulty level of the needs of the B1 learner, so to learn more about this usage, see expressing "almost" using "chadian mei".
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 112) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (p. 341)→buy
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 145) →buy
