差点儿（没）…
very nearly; almost (but in the end did not)
Structure
主语 差点儿 （没） 动词短语
What it means
Says something came within a hair of happening: “very nearly, almost”, but in the end it did not. Also 差一点儿; written 险些.
How it is built
Subject + 差点儿 (+ 没) + verb phrase: 我下车时差点儿没摔倒 (I nearly fell over getting out). With an unwanted outcome (撞上, 摔倒, 迟到), 没 changes nothing; it only adds relief.
When to use it
With a wanted outcome (赶上, 考上, 买到), 没 matters: 差点儿没赶上 = nearly missed it but made it; 差点儿就赶上了 = nearly made it but missed (regretful). Not the same as 差不多 (about).
Watch out
Do not read 差点儿没摔倒 as “nearly did not fall”: it means you nearly fell but did not. Ask whether the outcome is wanted before deciding what 没 does.
Examples
她的车被撞得往前滑了一米多，差点儿撞上斑马线上的行人。
The impact pushed her car forward more than a metre, and it very nearly hit the people on the crossing.
雪天路面太滑，我下车时差点儿没摔倒。
The road was so slippery in the snow that I nearly fell over getting out of the car.
路上堵了一个小时，我们差点儿没赶上飞机。
We were stuck in traffic for an hour and only just caught the plane.
Learn this in Lesson 142 · HSK 7–9: 追尾以后 (After a bump)
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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