快…了
Pattern
快 + event + 了
Key words
Core idea
快…了 says that something is about to happen soon. 快 points to nearness, and final 了 marks the approaching change.
The middle can be a verb phrase, event, or new situation.
Usage boundary
This pattern is about near future or nearing a state. It does not simply mean that an action is fast. For actual speed, use 快 as an adjective or adverb in a different sentence shape.
Examples
快下雨了。
Kuài xià yǔ le.
It is about to rain.
电影快开始了。
Diànyǐng kuài kāishǐ le.
The movie is about to start.
我们快到学校了。
Wǒmen kuài dào xuéxiào le.
We are almost at school.
Common mistakes
Avoid
快下雨。
Use
快下雨了。
The near-future frame normally uses final 了.
Seen in stories
The Almost-Finished Mural
小区入口的墙画了整整一个星期，终于快完成了。
The mural at the residential compound entrance has taken a whole week and is finally almost finished.
The Almost-Finished Mural
她说：“还不能拍，最重要的人快来了。”
She says, “Not yet. The most important person is about to arrive.”
The Almost-Finished Mural
天快黑了，画家还是没有继续画。
It is almost dark, but the artist still does not continue painting.
The Rooftop Movie Night
顶楼委员会准备了一个月，电影之夜终于快开始了。
After a month of preparation, the rooftop committee’s movie night is finally about to begin.
The Rooftop Movie Night
椅子排好了，爆米花也快卖完了。
The chairs are arranged, and the popcorn is almost sold out.