差不多
HSK 3- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
差不多 is used to express approximation, indicating that two things are close or nearly the same in degree, quantity, or time.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
差不多 (chābùduō) means "approximately," "almost," or "similar." This structure is used when two or more things are not entirely the same but are very close to each other in some respect.
It can function as an adverb placed before a verb or adjective (e.g., 我差不多到了), or before a quantity phrase (e.g., 差不多三个小时). It can also sometimes stand alone as a response, carrying the sense of "pretty much" or "about the same."
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这两个手机差不多。繁: 這兩個手機差不多。Zhè liǎng ge shǒujī chàbuduō.
These two phones are almost the same.
- 我差不多做完了。Wǒ chàbuduō zuò wán le.
I'm almost done.
- 我们差不多八点出发。繁: 我們差不多八點出發。Wǒmen chàbuduō bā diǎn chūfā.
We're leaving at around eight o'clock.
- 他们俩差不多高。繁: 他們倆差不多高。Tāmen liǎ chàbuduō gāo.
The two of them are about the same height.
- 会议差不多结束了。繁: 會議差不多結束了。Huìyì chàbuduō jiéshù le.
The meeting is almost over.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我等了差不多。Correct:我等了差不多一个小时。
差不多 needs to be accompanied by a quantity or specific object to clarify what is being approximated.
- Wrong:我们的年龄差不多。Correct:我们的年龄一样。
Use 一样 when two things are identical (for example, the same age); use 差不多 only when things are similar but still have minor differences.