差
点

About

The word "差点" is formed by combining the character "差", which conveys notions of deficiency or being short, with "点", meaning a point or a small amount. Together, they create an adverbial unit that literally suggests falling just short of a point, thereby expressing the meaning "almost" or "nearly", as in narrowly missing an outcome.

Example Sentences Hide

我差点迟到。

wǒ chàdiǎn chídào.

I was almost late.

我差点因为闹钟没响而迟到。

wǒ chàdiǎn yīnwèi nàozhōng méi xiǎng ér chídào.

I was almost late because my alarm didn't go off.

他刚才差点就被那辆自行车撞到了。

tā gāngcái chàdiǎn jiù bèi nà liàng zìxíngchē zhuàng dào le.

He was almost hit by that bicycle just now.

要不是你提醒我，我差点就没带钥匙。

yàobushì nǐ tíxǐng wǒ, wǒ chàdiǎn jiù méi dài yàoshi.

If you hadn't reminded me, I would have almost forgotten to bring the keys.

他在湿滑的楼梯上差点摔倒，幸亏扶住了栏杆。

tā zài shīhuá de lóutī shàng chàdiǎn shuāidǎo, xìngkuī fú zhù le lángān.

He almost slipped and fell on the wet stairs, but fortunately grabbed the railing.

Word Definition - 差点

chà diǎn almost; nearly

Individual Character Details

差 chā, chà, chāi, cī
点 diǎn