快要

• Pinyin: kuài yào
• Hanzi breakdown: 快 (kuài) — soon, fast; 要 (yào) — will, going to

Meaning

About to; almost; soon. Indicates that something is going to happen very soon.

Used with 了 at the end of the sentence. Similar to 就要 but cannot be preceded by a specific time expression. Expresses imminence.

Examples

1. 快要下雨了。 It's about to rain.
2. 我快要到了，请等一下。 I'm almost there — please wait.
3. 电影快要结束了。 The movie is about to end.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, anticipation

Tone: anticipatory

Do Say

• 快要放假了！(The holiday is almost here!)
• 天快要黑了。(It's getting dark soon.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'明天快要下雨' (Don't use 快要 with a specific future time like 明天 — just say 明天要下雨)

Origin & History

Compound of 快 (soon, fast) and 要 (will, going to). Together they emphasize that something is on the verge of happening.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal