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。Wǒ men kuài dào le.We're almost there.
- 快下雨了。Kuài xià yǔ le.It's going to rain soon.
- 快要过年了，你什么时候回家？Kuài yào guò nián le, nǐ shén me shí hou huí jiā?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 nǚ péng you kuài yào guò shēng rì le.My girlfriend is about to have her birthday.
- 快下车了，你再等一会儿。Kuài xià chē le, nǐ zài děng yí huì r.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)
- 要yàoto want; to need; to ask for; will; shall; about to; need to; should; if (same as 是); (bound form) important