Difference between revisions of "Approximations with "chabuduo""

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
差不多 (chàbùduō), translated literally, would be "the difference is not much." So it basically means "more or less," and is useful for expressing rough approximations. It can be used as an [[adjective]] or an [[adverb]].
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差不多 (chàbuduō), translated literally, means "the difference is not much." In practice it means something like "more or less," and is useful for expressing rough approximations.
  
== "差不多" as an Adjective ==
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== 差不多 (chàbuduō) as a Predicate ==
  
=== Simple Structure ===
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As a [[predicate]], 差不多 can be used pretty much all by itself to complete a sentence after you tell us what subject we're talking about. When several things are 差不多 (chàbuduō), it means they are "more or less ''the same''." So actually 差不多 (chàbuduō) is often understood to mean 差不多一样 (chàbuduō yīyàng), but you don't say the 一样 (yīyàng) part. You just say 差不多 (chàbuduō).
  
When several things are 差不多 (chàbùduō), it means they are "more or less ''the same''." (The part that means "the same" is understood in Chinese.)
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=== Simple Subject ===
  
==== Structure ====
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Let's first assume that the subject is an easily understood group of people or things.
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject  + 差不多
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
==== Examples ====
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 这 几 个 地方 都 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jǐ gè dìfāng dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">These places are all pretty much the same.</span>
 
* 这里 的 房间 都 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ de fángjiān dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">The rooms here are all basically the same.</span>
 
* 他们 的 年龄 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen de niánlíng <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">Their ages are more or less the same.</span>
 
* 我们 的 想法 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de xiǎngfǎ <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">Our ways of thinking are pretty much the same.</span>
 
* 这 两 个 电脑 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè diànnǎo <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">These two computers are almost the same.</span>
 
* 这 几 个 杯子 <em>差不多</em>,你 要 哪 个?<span class="pinyin">Zhè jǐ gè bēizi <em>chàbùduō </em>, nǐ yào nǎ gè?</span><span class="trans">These cups are almost the same. Which one do you want?</span>
 
* 这 两 家 餐厅 的 菜 都 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng jiā cāntīng de cài dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">These two restaurants' dishes are all more or less the same.</span>
 
* 我们 的 中文 水平 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">Our levels of Chinese are more or less the same.</span>
 
* 这 些 衣服 都 <em>差不多</em>,我 都 不 喜欢。<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē yīfú dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>, wǒ dōu bù xǐhuān.</span><span class="trans">These clothes are pretty much all the same. I don't like any of them.</span>
 
* 这 两 个 词 的 意思 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè cí de yìsi <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">These two words' meanings are more or less the same.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Common Structure ===
 
 
 
Again, when two things are said to be 差不多 (chàbùduō), it means they are "more or less ''the same''." (The part that means "the same" is understood in Chinese.)
 
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
 
Another often used structure is:
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
A 跟/和  B + 差不多  
+
Subj. + 差不多  
 
 
</div>
 
  
==== Examples ====
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 上海 <em>和</em> 纽约 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi <em>hé</em> Niǔyuē <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">Shanghai and New York are basically the same.</span>
 
* 这 个 房间 <em>跟</em> 那 个 房间 都 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè gè fángjiān <em>gēn</em> nàgè fángjiān dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">This room and that room are almost the same.</span>
 
* 他 的 年龄 <em>和</em> 她 的 年龄 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā de niánlíng <em>hé</em> tā de niánlíng <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">His age and her age are almost the same.</span>
 
* 我 的 想法 <em>跟</em> 他 的 想法 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de xiǎngfǎ <em>gēn</em> tā de xiǎngfǎ <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">My way of thinking and his way of thinking are almost the same.</span>
 
* 我 的 电脑 <em>和</em> 他 的 电脑 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de diànnǎo <em>hé</em> tā de diànnǎo <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">My computer and his computer are almost the same.</span>
 
* 大 杯子 <em>跟</em> 小 杯子<em>差不多</em>,你 要 哪 个?<span class="pinyin">Dà bēizi <em>gēn</em> xiǎo bēizi <em>chàbùduō </em>, nǐ yào nǎ gè?</span><span class="trans">The big glass and small glass are almost the same. Which one do you want?</span>
 
* 这 家 餐厅 的 菜 <em>跟</em> 那 家 餐厅 的 菜 都 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài <em>gēn</em> nà jiā cāntīng de cài dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant's dishes and that restaurant's dishes are more or less the same.</span>
 
* 我 的 中文 水平 <em>和</em> 你 的 中文 水平 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng <em>hé</em> nǐ de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">My Chinese level and your Chinese level are more or less the same.</span>
 
* 这 件 衣服 <em>和</em> 那 件 衣服 都 <em>差不多</em>,我 都 不 喜欢。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfú <em>hé</em> nà jiàn yīfú dōu <em>chàbùduō </em>, wǒ dōu bù xǐhuān.</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing and that piece are pretty much the same. I don't like either of them.</span>
 
* 这 个 词 的 意思 <em>跟</em> 那 个 词 的 意思 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè gè cí de yìsi <em>gēn</em> nàgè cí de yìsi <em>chàbùduō </em>.</span><span class="trans">This word's meaning and that word's meaning are more or less the same.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Modify nouns ===
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You might also add a [[都]] (dōu) in before 差不多 (chàbuduō) if there are more than two things being compared.
 
 
As an adjective, 差不多 (chàbùduō) can be placed directly after the subject of the sentence, and when coupled with a 的 (de), can modify nouns.  
 
 
 
==== Structure ====
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject + Verb + 差不多 + 的 + Noun
 
 
 
</div>
 
  
 
==== Examples ====
 
==== Examples ====
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我们 喜欢 <em>差不多</em> 的 菜。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xǐhuān <em>chàbùduō</em> de cài.</span><span class="trans">We like more or less the same food.</span>
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* 这 几 个 地方 都 <em>差不多</em> <span class="pinyin">Zhè jǐ gè dìfang dōu <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">These places are all pretty much the same.</span>
* 我们 有 <em>差不多</em> 的 中文 水平。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen yǒu <em>chàbùduō</em> de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng.</span><span class="trans">We have more or less the same Chinese level.</span>
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* 这 两 个 词 的 意思 <em>差不多</em> <span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè cí de yìsi <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">The meanings of these two words are pretty much the same.</span>
* 这 两 个 词 <em>差不多</em> 的 意思。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè cí yǒu <em>chàbùduō</em> de yìsi.</span><span class="trans">The two words have almost the same meaning.</span>
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* 我们 的 想法 <em>差不多</em> <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de xiǎngfǎ <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Our ways of thinking are pretty much the same.</span>
* 我们 <em>差不多</em> 的 想法。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen yǒu <em>chàbùduō</em> de xiǎngfǎ.</span><span class="trans">We have more or less the same way of thinking.</span>
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* 那 两 家 餐厅 <em>差不多</em> <span class="pinyin">liǎng jiā cāntīng de cài <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Those two restaurants' dishes are almost the same.</span>
* 他们 买 了 <em>差不多</em> 的 手机。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen mǎile <em>chàbùduō</em> de shǒujī.</span><span class="trans">They bought almost the same cell phone.</span>
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* 你们 的 中文 水平 <em>差不多</em> <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your Chinese levels are almost the same.</span>
* 我 知道 很 多 <em>差不多</em> 餐厅。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zhīdào hěnduō <em>chàbùduō</em> de cāntīng.</span><span class="trans">I know many similar restaurants.</span>
 
* 我们 去 了 两 个 <em>差不多</em> 的 地方。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qùle liǎng gè <em>chàbùduō</em> de dìfāng.</span><span class="trans">We went to two similar places.</span>
 
* 这 是 两 本 <em>差不多</em> 的 书。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì liǎng běn <em>chàbùduō</em> de shū.</span><span class="trans">These two books are almost the same.</span>
 
* 他们 买 了 <em>差不多</em> 的 衣服。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen mǎile <em>chàbùduō</em> de yīfú.</span><span class="trans">They bought more or less the same clothes.</span>
 
* 我们 有  <em>差不多</em> 的 电脑。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen yǒu <em>chàbùduō</em> de diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">We have more or less the same computer.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Antonym "差很多" ===
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=== Several Subjects ===
  
When 差不多 (chàbùduō) is an adjective, it literally means "the difference is not much." The opposite, then would be 差很多 (chà hěn duō), which literally means "the difference is very great."  Less literally, if 差不多 (chàbùduō) means "more or less the same," then 差很多 (chà hěn duō) means "not the same at all."
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Let's add in a few different subjects now, using the Chinese word for "[[and]]."
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
This first pattern tells you the two are ''not'' roughly equal, but it's not always clear which is a lot better and which is a lot worse.  Sometimes it just means they're "very different."
+
Another often used structure is:
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject  + 差 很 多
 
 
 
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
A 跟/和  B + 差 很 多
+
A + 跟 / 和 + B + 差不多
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 的 电脑 很 不 好用,哥哥 的 电脑 很 好用。 我们 的 电脑 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de diànnǎo hěn bù hǎo yòng, gēgē de diànnǎo hěn hǎo yòng. Wǒmen de diànnǎo <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">My computer is hard to use, but my older brother's is easy to use. There's a big difference between our computers.</span>
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* 上海 <em></em> 纽约 <em>差不多</em><span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi <em></em> Niǔyuē <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Shanghai and New York are basically the same.</span>
* 你 的 中文 好 ,我 的 中文 不 好 。我们 的 中文 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de Zhōngwén hǎo, wǒ de Zhōngwén bù hǎo. Wǒmen de Zhōngwén <em>chà hěnduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your Chinese is good, and mine isn't good. There's a big difference in our Chinese.</span>
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* Starbucks <em></em> Costa <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Starbucks <em></em> Costa <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Starbucks and Costa are almost the same.</span>
* 这 家 餐厅 的 中国 菜 很 不 好吃 ,<em></em> 那 家 餐厅 的 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng de Zhōngguó cài hěn bù hào chī, <em>gēn</em> nà jiā cāntīng de <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant's Chinese food is really not good. It's a lot worse than that restaurant's.</span>
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* 这里 天气 <em>跟</em> 台湾 天气 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Zhèlǐ de tiānqì <em>gēn</em> Táiwān de tiānqì <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">The weather here is pretty much like Taiwan's.</span>
* 年龄 <em>跟</em> 年龄 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">de niánlíng <em>gēn </em> de niánlíng <em>chà hěn duō </em>.</span><span class="trans">His age and her age are really far apart.</span>
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* 你的 工作 <em></em> 我的 工作 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin"> de gōngzuò <em>gēn</em> de gōngzuò <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your job and my job are almost the same.</span>
* 我 的 看法 <em></em> 他 的 看法 也 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">de kànfǎ <em></em> de kànfǎ yě <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">My views and his views are also quite different.</span>
+
* 你的 新 手机 <em></em> 我的 旧 手机 <em>差不多</em>。<span class="pinyin">de xīn shǒujī <em>gēn</em> de jiù shǒujī <em>chàbuduō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your new cell phone is pretty much like my old cell phone.</span>
* 很 多 人 觉得 上海 和 纽约 差不多,但是 我 觉得 上海 <em>和</em> 纽约 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Hěnduō rén juédé Shànghǎi hé Niǔyuē chàbùduō, dànshì wǒ juédé Shànghǎi <em>hé</em> Niǔyuē <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">A lot of people think that Shanghai and New York are more are less the same, but I think that there's a big difference between Shanghai and New York.</span>
 
* 这 两 个 方法 都 可以,但是 结果 会 <em>差 很 多</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè fāngfǎ dōu kěyǐ, dànshì jiéguǒ huì <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Both of these methods are OK, but the results are going to be very different.</span>
 
* 这 两 个 词 的 意思 差不多,但是 用法 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè cí de yìsi chàbùduō, dànshì yòngfǎ <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">The meanings of these two words are basically the same, but their usages are very different.</span>
 
* 中国 <em></em> 日本 的 文化 <em>差 很 多</em> ,所以 中国 人 <em>和</em> 日本 人 的 想法 也 <em>差 很 多</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhōngguó <em>hé</em> Rìběn de wénhuà <em>chà hěnduō</em>, suǒyǐ Zhōngguó rén <em>hé</em> Rìběn rén de xiǎngfǎ yě <em>chà hěn duō</em>.</span><span class="trans">Chinese and Japanese culture are very different, so the views of Chinese people and Japanese people are also very different.</span>
 
* 他们 的 工作 能力 <em>差 很 多</em> ,所以 他们 做 的 工作 不 一样 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen de gōngzuò nénglì <em>chà hěn duō</em>, suǒyǐ tāmen zuò de gōngzuò bù yīyàng.</span><span class="trans">Their work capabilities are quite different, so the work they d is not the same.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== "差不多" as an adverb ==
+
== 差不多 (chàbuduō) as an Adverb ==
  
When using 差不多 (chàbùduō) as an adverb, place it before the adjective or verb.
+
When using 差不多 (chàbuduō) as an adverb, place it before the adjective or verb.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
Line 135: Line 66:
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
差不多 + Adj./Verb
+
差不多 + Adj. / Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 143: Line 74:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*这 两 个 孩子 <em>差不多</em> 大。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè háizi <em>chàbùduō </em> dà.</span><span class="trans">These two children are more or less the same size.</span>
+
*这 两 个 孩子 <em>差不多</em> 大。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng gè háizi <em>chàbuduō</em> dà.</span><span class="trans">These two children are more or less the same age.</span>
*我们 <em>差不多</em> 高。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>chàbùduō </em> gāo.</span><span class="trans">We are more or less the same height.</span>
+
*<em>跟</em> 我哥哥 <em>差不多</em> 高。<span class="pinyin"><em>gēn</em> wǒ gēge <em>chàbuduō</em> gāo.</span><span class="trans">My older brother and I are more or less the same height.</span>
*北京 <em>和</em> 上海 <em>差不多</em> 热。<span class="pinyin">Běijīng <em>hé </em> Shànghǎi <em>chàbùduō </em> rè.</span><span class="trans">Beijing and Shanghai are both just as hot.</span>
+
*我 <em>差不多</em> 到 公园 门口 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>chàbuduō</em> dào gōngyuán ménkǒu le.</span><span class="trans">I'm almost at the entrance of the park.</span>
*两 个 地方 <em>差不多</em> 远。<span class="pinyin">Liǎng gè dìfāng <em>chàbùduō </em> yuǎn.</span><span class="trans">The two places are both just as far away.</span>
+
*电影 <em>差不多</em> 要 开始 了。<span class="pinyin">Diànyǐng <em>chàbuduō</em> yào kāishǐ le.</span><span class="trans">The movie is almost about to start.</span>
*在 这里,香蕉 <em>跟</em> 苹果 <em>差不多</em> 贵。<span class="pinyin">Zài zhèlǐ, xiāngjiāo <em>gēn </em> píngguǒ <em>chàbùduō </em> guì.</span><span class="trans">Here the bananas and apples are just as expensive.</span>
+
*今天 的 工作 <em>差不多</em> 做 完 了。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān de gōngzuò <em>chàbuduō</em> zuò wán le.</span><span class="trans">Today's work is almost done.</span>
*我 <em>差不多</em> 到 公园 门口 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>chàbùduō </em> dào gōngyuán ménkǒule.</span><span class="trans">I'm almost at the entrance of the park.</span>
 
*我 觉得 会议 <em>差不多</em> 结束 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ juédé huìyì <em>chàbùduō </em> jiéshùle.</span><span class="trans">I think the meeting is almost over.</span>
 
*我 <em>差不多</em> 走 了 四 十 分钟。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>chàbùduō </em> zǒu le sìshí fēnzhōng.</span><span class="trans">I walked for almost forty minutes.</span>
 
*工作 <em>差不多</em> 做 完 了。<span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò <em>chàbùduō </em> zuò wán le.</span><span class="trans">Work is almost over.</span>
 
*快点,球赛 <em>差不多</em> 开始 了。<span class="pinyin">Kuài diǎn, qiúsài <em>chàbùduō </em> kāishǐle.</span><span class="trans">Hurry, the competition is almost about to begin.</span>
 
*上海 的 老外 <em>差不多</em> 有 十 万。<span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi de lǎowài <em>chàbùduō </em> yǒu shí wàn.</span><span class="trans">Shanghai has about 100,000 foreigners.</span>
 
*这 个 房间 很 小,<em>差不多</em> 能 住 三 个 人。<span class="pinyin">Zhè gè fángjiān hěn xiǎo,<em>chàbùduō </em> néng zhù sān gèrén.</span><span class="trans">This room is really small, about three people can live here.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== “差不多" with a quantity or time phrase ==
+
== 差不多 (chàbuduō) with a Quantity or Time Phrase ==
  
After 差不多 (chàbùduō) you can also add a phrase that expresses quantity or time. This makes it clear that you're giving a rough estimate.
+
After 差不多 (chàbuduō) you can also add a phrase that expresses quantity or time. This makes it clear that you're giving a rough estimate.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
差不多 + [Quantity Phrase] / [Time Phrase]
差不多 + quantity phrase / time phrase
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*我 学 中文 <em>差不多</em> 两年 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xué Zhōngwén <em>chàbùduō </em> liǎng niánle.</span><span class="trans">I have studied Chinese for about two years.</span>
+
*儿子 <em>差不多</em> 五 岁 了 吧?<span class="pinyin">érzi <em>chàbuduō</em> wǔ suì le ba?</span><span class="trans">Your son should be about 5 years old, right?</span>
*他 的 儿子 <em>差不多</em> 五 岁 了 吧?<span class="pinyin">Tā de érzi <em>chàbùduō </em> shíwǔ suìle ba?</span><span class="trans">His son should be about 15 years old now, right?</span>
+
*他 住 在 上海 <em>差不多</em> 三 个 月 了。<span class="pinyin">Tā zhù zài Shànghǎi <em>chàbuduō</em> sān gè yuè le.</span><span class="trans">He has lived in Shanghai for about three months.</span>
*我们 走 了 <em>差不多</em> 一 个 小时 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zǒu le <em>chàbùduō </em> yīgè xiǎo shí le.</span><span class="trans">We've been walking for about an hour.</span>
+
*我 在 这 家 公司 工作 了 <em>差不多</em> 十 年 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài zhè jiā gōngsī gōngzuò le <em>chàbuduō</em> shí nián le.</span><span class="trans">I've worked for this company for almost ten years.</span>
*我们 公司 有 <em>差不多</em> 一百 个 人。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu <em>chàbùduō </em> yībǎi gèrén.</span><span class="trans">Our company has about 100 people.</span>
+
*我 父母 结婚 <em>差不多</em> 二十 年 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ fùmǔ jiéhūn <em>chàbuduō</em> èrshí nián le.</span><span class="trans">My parents have been married for about twenty years.</span>
*他 住 在 上海 <em>差不多</em> 三 个 月 了。<span class="pinyin">Tā zhù zài Shànghǎi <em>chàbùduō </em> sān gè yuèle.</span><span class="trans">He has lived in Shanghai for about three months.</span>
+
*<em>差不多</em> 两 个 星期 以前,我 在 北京 见 过 他。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Chàbuduō</em> liǎng gè xīngqī yǐqián, wǒ zài Běijīng jiàn guo tā.</span><span class="trans">About two weeks ago I met with him in Beijing.</span>
*我 认识 这里 <em>差不多</em> 一半 的 人。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ rènshí zhèlǐ <em>chàbùduō </em> yībàn de rén.</span><span class="trans">I know about half of the people here.</span>
 
*我 在 那里 工作 了 <em>差不多</em> 二十 年。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài nàlǐ gōngzuòle <em>chàbùduō </em> èrshí nián.</span><span class="trans">I worked there for almost twenty years.</span>
 
*<em>差不多</em> 两 个 星期 以前,我 见 过 他。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Chàbùduō </em> liǎng gè xīngqí yǐqián, wǒ jiànguò tā.</span><span class="trans">About two weeks ago I met with him.</span>
 
*一 个 人 从 上海 去 杭州,需要 <em>差不多</em> 两 百 块 钱。<span class="pinyin">Yīgè rén cóng Shànghǎi qù Hángzhōu, xūyào <em>chàbùduō </em> liǎng bǎi kuài qián.</span><span class="trans">A person going from Shanghai to Hangzhou needs about 200 dollars.</span>
 
*我们 结婚 <em>差不多</em> 十 年 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen jiéhūn <em>chàbùduō </em> shí niánle.</span><span class="trans">We've been married for about ten years.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See also==
+
== 差不多 Video ==
 +
 
 +
<div class="YT-container"><youtube>leitNR3rRDc</youtube></div>
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
  
 
*[[Expressing "almost" using "chadian mei"]]
 
*[[Expressing "almost" using "chadian mei"]]
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (p. 111) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4上|17}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 54-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|111}}
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 116) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|54-5}}
 +
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|116}}
  
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 +
 
* [[现代汉语词典(第5版)]] (p. 145) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
 
* [[现代汉语词典(第5版)]] (p. 145) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|差不多|A2|Subject + 差不多|我们 的 中文 水平 <em>差不多</em>。|grammar point|ASG1NAXO}}
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{{HSK|HSK4}}
 +
[[Category:Comparing]]
 +
{{Basic Grammar|差不多|A2|Subj. + 差不多|我们 的 中文 水平 <em>差不多</em>。|grammar point|ASG1NAXO}}
 
{{Rel char|差}}
 
{{Rel char|差}}
 
{{Rel char|不}}
 
{{Rel char|不}}
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{{Similar|"Nearly" with "jihu"}}   
 
{{Similar|"Nearly" with "jihu"}}   
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}
{{Used for| Expressing degree}}
+
{{Used for|Expressing degree}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing similarity}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing similarity}}
 +
{{Used for|Comparing}}
 
{{Translation|almost}}
 
{{Translation|almost}}

Latest revision as of 08:09, 20 July 2021

差不多 (chàbuduō), translated literally, means "the difference is not much." In practice it means something like "more or less," and is useful for expressing rough approximations.

差不多 (chàbuduō) as a Predicate

As a predicate, 差不多 can be used pretty much all by itself to complete a sentence after you tell us what subject we're talking about. When several things are 差不多 (chàbuduō), it means they are "more or less the same." So actually 差不多 (chàbuduō) is often understood to mean 差不多一样 (chàbuduō yīyàng), but you don't say the 一样 (yīyàng) part. You just say 差不多 (chàbuduō).

Simple Subject

Let's first assume that the subject is an easily understood group of people or things.

Structure

Subj. + 差不多

You might also add a (dōu) in before 差不多 (chàbuduō) if there are more than two things being compared.

Examples

  • 这 几 个 地方 都 差不多Zhè jǐ gè dìfang dōu chàbuduō.These places are all pretty much the same.
  • 这 两 个 词 的 意思 差不多Zhè liǎng gè cí de yìsi chàbuduō.The meanings of these two words are pretty much the same.
  • 我们 的 想法 差不多Wǒmen de xiǎngfǎ chàbuduō.Our ways of thinking are pretty much the same.
  • 那 两 家 餐厅 的 菜 差不多Nà liǎng jiā cāntīng de cài chàbuduō.Those two restaurants' dishes are almost the same.
  • 你们 的 中文 水平 差不多Nǐmen de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng chàbuduō.Your Chinese levels are almost the same.

Several Subjects

Let's add in a few different subjects now, using the Chinese word for "and."

Structure

Another often used structure is:

A + 跟 / 和 + B + 差不多

Examples

  • 上海 纽约 差不多Shànghǎi Niǔyuē chàbuduō.Shanghai and New York are basically the same.
  • Starbucks Costa 差不多 Starbucks Costa chàbuduō.Starbucks and Costa are almost the same.
  • 这里 的 天气 台湾 的 天气 差不多 Zhèlǐ de tiānqì gēn Táiwān de tiānqì chàbuduō.The weather here is pretty much like Taiwan's.
  • 你的 工作 我的 工作 差不多 Nǐ de gōngzuò gēn wǒ de gōngzuò chàbuduō.Your job and my job are almost the same.
  • 你的 新 手机 我的 旧 手机 差不多Nǐ de xīn shǒujī gēn wǒ de jiù shǒujī chàbuduō.Your new cell phone is pretty much like my old cell phone.

差不多 (chàbuduō) as an Adverb

When using 差不多 (chàbuduō) as an adverb, place it before the adjective or verb.

Structure

差不多 + Adj. / Verb

Examples

  • 这 两 个 孩子 差不多 大。Zhè liǎng gè háizi chàbuduō dà.These two children are more or less the same age.
  • 我哥哥 差不多 高。gēn wǒ gēge chàbuduō gāo.My older brother and I are more or less the same height.
  • 差不多 到 公园 门口 了。chàbuduō dào gōngyuán ménkǒu le.I'm almost at the entrance of the park.
  • 电影 差不多 要 开始 了。Diànyǐng chàbuduō yào kāishǐ le.The movie is almost about to start.
  • 今天 的 工作 差不多 做 完 了。Jīntiān de gōngzuò chàbuduō zuò wán le.Today's work is almost done.

差不多 (chàbuduō) with a Quantity or Time Phrase

After 差不多 (chàbuduō) you can also add a phrase that expresses quantity or time. This makes it clear that you're giving a rough estimate.

Structure

差不多 + [Quantity Phrase] / [Time Phrase]

Examples

  • 你 儿子 差不多 五 岁 了 吧?Nǐ érzi chàbuduō wǔ suì le ba?Your son should be about 5 years old, right?
  • 他 住 在 上海 差不多 三 个 月 了。Tā zhù zài Shànghǎi chàbuduō sān gè yuè le.He has lived in Shanghai for about three months.
  • 我 在 这 家 公司 工作 了 差不多 十 年 了。Wǒ zài zhè jiā gōngsī gōngzuò le chàbuduō shí nián le.I've worked for this company for almost ten years.
  • 我 父母 结婚 差不多 二十 年 了。Wǒ fùmǔ jiéhūn chàbuduō èrshí nián le.My parents have been married for about twenty years.
  • 差不多 两 个 星期 以前,我 在 北京 见 过 他。Chàbuduō liǎng gè xīngqī yǐqián, wǒ zài Běijīng jiàn guo tā.About two weeks ago I met with him in Beijing.

差不多 Video

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries