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.