差一点儿
HSK 3- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Subject差一点儿(就)Verb(Object/了)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
差一点儿 expresses that something almost happened but ultimately did not occur.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 差一点儿 to express that something almost happened but fell just short. In most cases, the final result is that the event did not occur.
- When referring to an undesirable outcome (such as falling or being late),
差一点儿carries a sense of relief, as the situation was narrowly avoided. - When referring to a desired outcome (such as passing an exam or getting a ticket),
差一点儿carries a sense of regret, as it was just out of reach.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我差一点儿就迟到了。繁: 我差一點兒就遲到了。Wǒ chà yīdiǎnr jiù chídào le.
I almost arrived late.
- 他差一点儿摔倒了。繁: 他差一點兒摔倒了。Tā chà yīdiǎnr shuāidǎo le.
He almost fell down.
- 我们差一点儿就赢了。繁: 我們差一點兒就贏了。Wǒmen chà yīdiǎnr jiù yíng le.
We almost won.
- 我差一点儿忘了这件事。繁: 我差一點兒忘了這件事。Wǒ chà yīdiǎnr wàng le zhè jiàn shì.
I almost forgot about this matter.
- 公共汽车差一点儿撞到我。繁: 公共汽車差一點兒撞到我。Gōnggòng qìchē chà yīdiǎnr zhuàng dào wǒ.
The bus almost hit me.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我少一点儿就迟到了。Correct:我差一点儿就迟到了。
To express 'almost' or 'nearly', Chinese speakers use 差一点儿 or 差点儿, not 少一点儿 in this case.
- Wrong:我差一点儿就迟到了，所以老师批评了我。Correct:我差一点儿就迟到了，还好最后赶上了。
"差一点儿就迟到了" means you were not late. The second clause must be consistent with 'still made it on time'.