差不多
about, nearly (with amounts); about the same; nearly done
Structure
差不多 + 数量 · A 跟／和 B 差不多 · 差不多 了
What it means
差不多 (chà bu duō) does three jobs: “about, nearly” with amounts, “about the same” when comparing, and “nearly done” on its own.
How it is built
差不多 + amount: 一斤鸡蛋差不多八九个 (A jin of eggs is about eight or nine). A 跟 B 差不多 = about the same. 差不多了 = nearly there.
When to use it
Use it to give a rough number (我差不多等了一个小时), to say two things are close (你做的面跟饭馆的差不多), or alone to say you are almost done.
Watch out
In the “about” sense it goes before the amount. ✗ 八个差不多 ✓ 差不多八个.
Examples
一斤鸡蛋差不多八九个。
A jin of eggs is about eight or nine.
我差不多等了一个小时。
I waited for nearly an hour.
你做的面跟饭馆的差不多。
Your noodles are about as good as a restaurant’s.
鸡蛋差不多熟了，可以加水了。
The eggs are nearly done. You can add the water now.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 22: 我们一起做饭 (Cooking together)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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