caa1 dim2差點差点
Jyutpingcaa1 dim2
Yalechā dím
Definition
Almost; nearly; just barely avoiding or missing an outcome.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
While 差點 is widely understood, native speakers in Hong Kong almost exclusively use 差啲 in daily speech. Using 差點 can sound slightly more formal or influenced by written Chinese. It functions as an adverb to indicate that an event was very close to happening but ultimately did not occur.
Examples
I almost fell, luckily I grabbed the handrail.
You were almost late, leave earlier next time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 差點 with 差唔多. Remember that 差點 means an event almost happened but was avoided, whereas 差唔多 means approximately or nearly the same amount.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
