elementaryA2 · TOCFL a2discoursediscourse marker
差不多
Pattern
差不多 + adjective / number / clause
Key words
Core idea
差不多 says something is close enough, almost true, or roughly the same. It can describe time, amount, degree, or similarity.
The exact English translation changes with context: “almost,” “about,” “roughly,” or “more or less.”
Usage boundary
This phrase signals approximation. Use it when the exact number, time, or degree is not the point.
Examples
我们差不多到了。
Wǒmen chàbuduō dào le.
We are almost there.
这两个杯子差不多大。
Zhè liǎng ge bēizi chàbuduō dà.
These two cups are about the same size.
现在差不多三点。
Xiànzài chàbuduō sān diǎn.
It is about three o'clock now.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我们到了差不多。
Use
我们差不多到了。
差不多 normally comes before the part it approximates.