To say that something bad almost happened (but didn't), you can add the word 差点 (chàdiǎn) before the verb. You will also hear 差点儿 (chàdiǎnr) in northern China. There is no difference in meaning between 差点 and 差点儿. Literal Meaning: It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means "to lack," or "to be short." So, in Chinese, the way to say "almost" is to say, "lacking that little bit." If that "little bit" hadn't been lacking, it would have happened. But it was lacking, so it didn't happen; it almost happened. Just remember: the fact of what really happened is always NOT the verb phrase after 差点(儿). Structure: Subj. + 差点 (+就) + Predicate + 了 You can put 了 at the end of the sentence for emphasis. In this case, 就 is often used and it's optional. The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective. Examples: 车差点撞到我。(chē chàdiǎn zhuàngdào wǒ) = The car almost hit me. 我们差点相信他。(wǒmen chàdiǎn xiāngxìn tā) = We almost believed him. 他们差点打起来。(tāmen chàdiǎn dǎ qǐlái) = They almost started a fight. 我差点忘了。(wǒ chàdiǎn wàng le) = I almost forgot. 我今天差点迟到了。 (wǒ jīntiān chàdiǎn chídào le) = I was almost late today. 她差点疯了。(tā chàdiǎn fēng le) = She almost went crazy. 菜差点糊了。(cài chàdiǎn hú le) = The food was almost burned. 我们队差点输了。(wǒmen duì chàdiǎn shū le) = Our team almost lost. 我差点就打他了。(wǒ chàdiǎn jiù dǎ tā le) = I almost hit him. # Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language   # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟   Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
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