AdverbsHSK 4

Expressing "almost" using 差点

The adverb 差点 (chàdiǎn) expresses that an action or state almost occurred but ultimately did not, usually with a negative or undesired outcome. The pattern often ends with 了 for emphasis, and 就 may be optionally placed before the predicate.

Structure

Subj. + 差点 + Predicate
Subj. + 差点 (+ 就) + Predicate + 了
了 adds emphasis; 就 is optional

Examples

  • 车差点撞到我。
    Chē chà diǎn zhuàng dào wǒ.
    The car almost hit me.
  • 我差点忘了。
    Wǒ chà diǎn wàng le.
    I almost forgot.
  • 我今天差点迟到了。
    Wǒ jīn tiān chà diǎn chí dào le.
    I was almost late today.
  • 他差点就死了。
    Tā chà diǎn jiù sǐ le.
    He almost died.
  • 我差点就打他了。
    Wǒ chà diǎn jiù dǎ tā le.
    I almost hit him.

Words that use this