Expressing "almost" using "chadian mei"
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Keywords
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.
Contents
Logical Structure
Subj. + 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 差点儿 没 想 起来。I did remember it. I almost forgot it.
- 我 差点 没 赶 上 火车。 I almost missed it, but I didn't.I didn't miss the train.
- 他 差点 没 通过 考试。He did pass it.He barely passed the examination.
- 我 差点儿 没 买到 火车票。
- 他们 两个 差点儿 没 打 起来。
- 我 差点儿 没 和 她 撞 在 一起。
- 这个 地方 太 大 了,我 走 了 很 久,差点儿 没 累 死。
- 我 差点儿 没被 发现。
- 这里 差点儿 没 变成 一 个 垃圾场。
- 排队 的 人 太 多 了,差点儿 没 买到。I did get it.The waiting line is too long. I almost didn't get it.
See also
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