Expressing "almost" using "chadian"

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.

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.

Structure without 没

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 lose)Our team almost lost.
• 我们 队 差点儿 就输了。 (the team didn't lose)Our team almost lost.
• 雨 很 大，我 差点 回 不 来 了 。 (I actually did make it back, though)The 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, though)The 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 late)The traffic is bad; I was almost late.
• 路上 堵车，我 差点儿 就 迟到 了 。 (I wasn't late)The traffic is bad; I was almost late.
• 我 差点儿 (就) 犯 了 一 个 大 错 。 (I didn't make a big mistake)I nearly made a big mistake.
• 他 差点儿 (就) 看到 我们 了，好 险 ！ (he didn't see us)He almost saw us. That was a close one!
• 看到 妈妈 走 了，她 差点儿 (就) 哭 了 。 (she didn't cry)When 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 common)Our 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 arrive )The bus almost arrived at the airport.It suddenly broke down.

Structure with 没

Subject + 差点(儿) + [Verb Phrase containing "没"]

Because you never use “没” with "了“，so in this structure, you shouldn't put "了" after the sentence. Also, the fact is opposite with the description after "差点（儿）".

Examples

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• "Nearly" with "jihu"
• Expressing "almost" using "chadianmei"

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