The Chinese 'almost' that means it did not happen

Where the picture shows up in 差点儿

1. 1

   grazing the start of work

   路上堵车，我差点儿迟到。

   lù shang dǔ chē, wǒ chà diǎnr chí dào

   The traffic was bad — I was almost late.

   Pushing the office door open out of breath while the clock still reads before the hour

   It means you were not late. The outcome does not take place.

2. 2

   grazing the ice

   地太滑，我差点儿摔倒。

   dì tài huá, wǒ chà diǎnr shuāi dǎo

   The floor was so slippery I almost fell.

   One foot sliding out, an arm swinging through the air, then a palm catching the wall

3. 3

   grazing your memory

   我差点儿忘了今天有会。

   wǒ chà diǎnr wàng le jīn tiān yǒu huì

   I almost forgot there is a meeting today.

   Walking past a calendar, then turning your head back to look at it again

4. 4

   grazing the bus door

   跑了两步，差点儿没赶上车。

   pǎo le liǎng bù, chà diǎnr méi gǎn shàng chē

   Two quick steps and I almost missed the bus.

   One foot planted in the gap of a door that is already closing

   差点儿没 also means you did catch it — the 没 does not change the outcome.

5. 5

   grazing a child's hand

   孩子差点儿把杯子打碎了。

   hái zi chà diǎnr bǎ bēi zi dǎ suì le

   The child almost broke the cup.

   An adult hand catching a cup that is rocking at the edge of the table