Sentence PatternsHSK 3

Expressing 'about to happen' with 了

Use 快 or 快要 before a verb, with 了 at the end of the sentence, to say something is about to happen. This pattern is common for imminent events, often paired with time expressions. Make sure the 了 goes at the very end of the sentence, not directly after the verb.

Structure

快 + Verb + 了

快要 + Verb + 了

Examples

我们快到了。
Wǒmen kuài dào le .
We're almost there.
快下雨了。
Kuài xiàyǔ le .
It's going to rain soon.
快要过年了，你什么时候回家？
Kuài yào guònián le , nǐ shénme shíhou huíjiā?
It's almost Chinese New Year. When are you going back to your hometown?
我女朋友快要过生日了。
Wǒ nǚpéngyou kuài yào guò shēngrì le .
My girlfriend is about to have her birthday.
快下车了，你再等一会儿。
Kuài xiàchē le , nǐ zài děng yīhuìr.
We're about to get off. Just wait a little while.

Words that use this

快kuàirapid; quick; speed; rate; soon; almost; to make haste; clever; sharp (of knives or wits); forthright; plainspoken; gratified; pleased; pleasant
了le(completed action marker); (modal particle indicating change of state); (modal particle intensifying preceding clause)