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March 24, 2026
几乎(幾乎)jīhū(ji1hu1)
The term '几乎' (jī hū) means 'almost' or 'nearly', indicating that something is very close to being true or happening, but not quite. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe situations that are nearly complete or to express a high degree of certainty about a statement, while still allowing for a small margin of error.
Frequency#1064DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'almost' or 'nearly' reflects a common attitude of humility and caution, often seen in expressions of success or achievement where one might downplay their accomplishments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person on a tightrope (几) balancing precariously, nearly (乎) falling off, but staying upright. This image helps you remember that '几乎' signifies being very close to a condition or outcome.
Meanings of 几乎
jīhū(ji1hu1)
1almost
2nearly
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About 几乎
几乎Simplified
幾乎Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#1064Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 几乎
Podcast: 几乎
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AI Study Notes for 几乎
Quick Contrast
快要 (kuàiyào, about to) - use '几乎' when something is nearly true but not imminent, while '快要' indicates an event is on the verge of happening.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person on a tightrope (几) balancing precariously, nearly (乎) falling off, but staying upright. This image helps you remember that '几乎' signifies being very close to a condition or outcome.
Usage Notes
'几乎' is used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners often misuse it when they want to say 'very' or 'much', where '非常' (fēi cháng) would be more appropriate. A common collocation is '几乎所有' (jī hū suǒ yǒu), meaning 'almost all'. Be careful with the pronunciation; ensure the first tone is clear.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, '几乎' connects with other adverbs of degree like '非常' (fēi cháng) and '差不多' (chà bù duō). Focus on recognizing its usage in sentences and practicing it in contexts where you describe approximation or near completion.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'almost' or 'nearly' reflects a common attitude of humility and caution, often seen in expressions of success or achievement where one might downplay their accomplishments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '几乎' with '几乎不' (jī hū bù) which means 'hardly' or 'almost not', leading to incorrect sentences like '我几乎不喜欢这本书' (I almost don't like this book). The correct usage should clarify the context to match the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 几乎
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Grammar Patterns of 几乎
几乎 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'almost' or 'nearly' reflects a common attitude of humility and caution, often seen in expressions of success or achievement where one might downplay their accomplishments.
Frequently Asked Questions about 几乎
No, '几乎' implies that something is very close to being true or done, so it wouldn't fit well with complete failure.
Not necessarily; it can be used in both positive and negative contexts to indicate approximation.
'几乎' emphasizes closeness to a condition, while '差不多' often implies similarity or equivalence.
