差点儿

• 拼音: chà diǎn er
• 汉字拆解: 差 (lack, differ) + 点儿 (a little)

含义

Almost; nearly; just about. Indicates something almost happened.

Used to express that something nearly occurred but didn't. For negative outcomes, 差点儿 alone means it didn't happen. For positive outcomes, add 没 to mean it almost didn't happen but did.

例句

1. 我今天早上差点儿迟到，幸亏出租车来得快。
2. 她高兴得差点儿哭出来。
3. 这个答案差点儿就对了，再想想。

用法指南

语境: everyday, narrative, spoken

语气: casual

正确说法

• 差点儿忘了！(I almost forgot!)
• 差点儿没赶上飞机。(I almost missed the plane.)

错误说法

• 不理解'差点儿+好事'和'差点儿没+好事'的区别——前者表示没发生，后者表示发生了 (Don't confuse 差点儿 + positive outcome vs 差点儿没 + positive outcome — the first means it didn't happen, the second means it almost didn't but did)

起源与历史

Compound of 差 (lack) + 一点儿 (a little), meaning 'lacking just a little' from happening.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal