HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#3
Approximations with “chàbùduō”
差不多
How it works
差不多 (chàbùduō) is used to express approximation. It usually means:
almost
nearly
about the same
more or less
It is a very flexible expression. It can be used for time, amount, degree, distance, quality, or comparison.
The pattern
Subject + 差不多 (chàbùduō) + Predicate A + 跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) + B + 差不多 (chàbùduō)
Example sentences
现在差不多九点了。
It is almost nine o’clock now.
这两件衣服的价格差不多。
The prices of these two pieces of clothing are about the same.
饭差不多做好了。
The food is almost ready.
Key point
Students should not understand 差不多 (chàbùduō) only as “almost.” It can also mean “roughly the same.”
For example:
我差不多吃完了。 Wǒ chàbùduō chī wán le. I have almost finished eating.
我们的水平差不多。 Wǒmen de shuǐpíng chàbùduō. Our levels are about the same.
So the exact meaning depends on context.