Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adverb #1,000 am häufigsten 13 Min. Lesezeit

快要

kuai yao Top 1,000

At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to navigate the Chinese language. The primary focus is on basic survival communication, such as greetings, numbers, and simple present-tense statements. However, even beginners quickly realize they need a way to talk about things that are going to happen soon. This is where '快要' becomes incredibly useful. While it might seem slightly advanced for absolute beginners, introducing it early helps students understand that Chinese does not use verb conjugations (like 'will go' or 'is going') to show the future. Instead, it relies on specific adverbs and particles. For an A1 student, learning '快要...了' is like unlocking a magic formula. By simply placing this structure around verbs they already know, such as 'eat' (吃), 'go' (去), or 'arrive' (到), they can suddenly express anticipation. It is highly recommended that A1 learners memorize this as a fixed phrase or chunk of language rather than analyzing the individual characters deeply. The key takeaway for this level is the recognition of the pattern. When they hear someone say '快要...了', they should immediately understand that an action is imminent. Practice at this stage should involve very simple, highly visual scenarios, like a picture of a train pulling into a station or dark clouds gathering in the sky. By associating the phrase with these clear visual cues, A1 learners can begin to internalize the concept of imminent future without getting bogged down in complex grammatical rules about time words, which can be introduced later.

The A2 level is where '快要' truly belongs and where it becomes a core component of a learner's active vocabulary. At this stage, students are expanding their ability to describe routines, past events, and future plans. They are learning to connect sentences and express more nuanced ideas. The '快要...了' structure is explicitly taught and practiced extensively at the A2 level. Learners are expected to not only understand it when they hear it but to produce it accurately in their own speech and writing. This is the level where the crucial grammatical rule is introduced: the absolute prohibition of using specific time words with '快要'. A2 learners must practice the distinction between saying 'The movie is about to start' (using 快要) and 'The movie starts at 8 PM' (using a different structure). This distinction is a classic testing point in A2 proficiency exams like the HSK 2 or HSK 3. Furthermore, A2 learners start applying this structure to a wider variety of verbs and adjectives, moving beyond simple motion verbs to include changes in state, such as 'getting dark' (天快要黑了) or 'battery dying' (快要没电了). The focus is on building fluency and confidence in using this pattern in everyday conversational contexts, such as making plans with friends, navigating public transportation, or discussing the weather. Mastery of this word at the A2 level is a strong indicator that a student is successfully transitioning from basic phrasebook Chinese to genuine, flexible communication.

As learners progress to the B1 level, their communication becomes more narrative and descriptive. They are expected to tell stories, explain situations, and express opinions. At this stage, '快要' is no longer just a functional tool for stating facts; it becomes a narrative device used to build tension and pace within a story. B1 learners use this structure to describe the climax of an event or to set the scene for something unexpected. For example, when recounting a travel experience, a B1 student might say, 'Just as the sun was about to set (太阳快要落山的时候), we finally found the hotel.' Here, the phrase is used to create a specific temporal context within a larger narrative. Additionally, B1 learners begin to understand the emotional weight that this structure can carry. It is not just about time; it is about anticipation, anxiety, or excitement. They learn to use it to express urgency, such as 'Hurry up, the store is about to close!' (快点，商店快要关门了！). The vocabulary used in conjunction with '快要' also expands significantly at this level, incorporating more abstract concepts and complex verbs. Students are also expected to seamlessly integrate this structure with other grammatical patterns, such as 'when...' (的时候) or 'because...' (因为). The focus shifts from merely constructing the sentence correctly to using it appropriately to enhance the flow and emotional impact of their spoken and written Chinese.

At the B2 level, learners are striving for fluency and natural expression. They can understand complex texts and engage in detailed discussions on a wide range of topics. For a B2 learner, '快要' is a fully internalized structure that is used effortlessly. The focus at this level is on refining usage and understanding subtle stylistic choices. B2 students are highly aware of the differences between '快要', '就要', '马上', and '快', and they can select the most appropriate word based on the specific context, tone, and rhythm of the conversation. They understand that while '快要' is standard, dropping the '要' to say '快...了' sounds more native in fast-paced, informal speech. Furthermore, B2 learners use this structure metaphorically and hyperbolically to express strong emotions or physical states, which is a hallmark of native-like fluency. They might say, 'I am about to be angered to death by him' (我快要被他气死了) or 'I am so busy I am about to collapse' (我忙得快要崩溃了). These expressions demonstrate a deep understanding of how the language is actually used in real life, beyond textbook grammar. In writing, B2 learners can use this structure to create a sense of impending change in essays or opinion pieces, discussing societal trends or future developments. The mastery of '快要' at the B2 level is characterized by its seamless integration into complex, expressive, and culturally appropriate communication.

C1 learners possess an advanced, near-native level of proficiency. They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. At this advanced stage, the use of '快要' is completely automatic. However, C1 learners engage with the language on a much deeper, more analytical level. They encounter this structure in complex literary texts, academic articles, and formal presentations. In these contexts, '快要' might be used to describe abstract concepts, such as an economic system that is on the verge of collapse or a technological breakthrough that is imminent. C1 learners are also sensitive to the rhythmic and prosodic elements of the language. They know exactly when to use '快要' to maintain the correct cadence in a sentence, perhaps choosing it over a shorter alternative to add weight or emphasis to a statement. Furthermore, at the C1 level, learners can play with the structure for rhetorical effect. They might use it ironically or sarcastically. The focus is no longer on the grammar itself, but on how this specific grammatical tool can be manipulated to achieve precise communicative goals, persuade an audience, or convey complex, layered meanings in sophisticated discourse.

The C2 level represents mastery of the language, equivalent to a highly educated native speaker. For a C2 learner, '快要' is just one brush in a vast linguistic palette. They understand its historical roots, its regional variations, and its precise semantic boundaries. At this level, the focus is often on translation, interpretation, and the finest nuances of style. A C2 learner can flawlessly translate complex English sentences involving imminent future tenses into Chinese, knowing exactly when '快要' is the perfect equivalent and when a different phrasing is required to capture the exact tone of the original text. They can analyze why an author chose to use '快要' instead of '即将' (jíjiāng - a highly formal synonym) in a specific literary passage, understanding the subtle shift in register and formality. C2 learners also recognize how this structure interacts with complex modal verbs and advanced vocabulary to express highly specific states of being or impending actions in specialized fields like law, science, or philosophy. Their use of the word is characterized by absolute precision, effortless flexibility, and a deep appreciation for the subtle mechanics of Mandarin Chinese grammar at its highest level.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

快要 in 30 Sekunden

Indicates an action is about to happen.
Must be paired with the final particle '了'.
Cannot be used with specific time words.
Translates to 'about to' or 'soon' in English.

When you are learning Mandarin Chinese, one of the most exciting milestones is moving beyond simple present or past tense descriptions and starting to talk about the future. However, the future in Chinese is not expressed with a single tense marker like the word 'will' in the English language. Instead, Chinese uses various adverbs and auxiliary verbs to indicate different nuances of future actions. Among these, the word '快要' (kuàiyào) is absolutely essential for daily communication. This word is used specifically to describe actions or events that are on the verge of happening. It conveys a strong sense of immediacy and anticipation. Imagine you are standing at a busy train station, looking at the digital clock, and you see the high-speed train approaching the platform. In English, you might say 'The train is about to arrive' or 'The train is arriving soon.' In Chinese, this exact feeling of imminent arrival is captured perfectly by this vocabulary item.

火车快要到了。

The concept of imminence is crucial because it helps speakers coordinate actions, give warnings, or express excitement. For instance, if the sky suddenly turns dark and heavy clouds gather, you need a way to tell your friends that rain is imminent so they can grab their umbrellas.

Weather Context: Using this word for weather indicates that the environmental signs are visible and the event is inescapable.

This word serves exactly that purpose. It acts as a bridge between the present moment and the immediate future. Furthermore, understanding how to use this word correctly will significantly enhance your ability to sound like a native speaker. Native speakers use this construction constantly in everyday conversations, from discussing the weather to talking about upcoming holidays, from anticipating the end of a workday to warning someone about a boiling pot of water. The psychological distance between the speaker and the event is very short when this word is used. It is not for things happening next year or next month, but for things happening in the next few minutes, hours, or days, depending on the relative context.

电影快要开始了。

This relative context is an important aspect of Chinese grammar. What feels 'imminent' can vary. If you are talking about a geological event, 'imminent' might mean a few years. But in daily life, it usually means very soon.

Relative Time: The definition of 'soon' depends entirely on the subject matter. A movie starting soon means minutes; winter coming soon means weeks.

The structure is incredibly reliable and forms a core part of the A2 level curriculum. By mastering this, you unlock a new dimension of temporal expression. You will notice that this word is almost always paired with a specific particle at the end of the sentence.

天快要黑了。

This pairing is not accidental; it is a fundamental grammatical rule that signifies a change of state. The action is moving from 'not happening' to 'happening'. This transition is what the final particle emphasizes, while our core vocabulary word sets the timeline. Therefore, whenever you want to express that something is going to happen very shortly, this is your go-to expression.

我们快要毕业了。

It is versatile, easy to pronounce, and instantly recognizable. Let us delve deeper into the specific mechanics of how this word operates within a sentence and the subtle emotional undertones it can carry depending on the context in which it is spoken.

Emotional Undertone: Depending on the event, this structure can convey anxiety (a deadline approaching) or excitement (a vacation approaching).

新年快要到了。

Understanding these nuances will make your Chinese sound much more natural and expressive.

The grammatical structure for using '快要' (kuàiyào) is remarkably consistent and straightforward, which is excellent news for learners. The fundamental formula you need to memorize is: Subject + 快要 + Verb / Adjective + 了 (le). This structure is the backbone of expressing imminent actions in Mandarin Chinese. Let us break down each component to understand how they work together harmoniously. First, you have the subject, which can be a person, an object, or even a natural phenomenon like the weather or time.

春天快要来了。

Following the subject, you place the adverb '快要'. This adverb acts as the temporal marker, signaling to the listener that whatever follows is on the brink of occurring.

Adverb Placement: In Chinese grammar, adverbs almost always precede the verb or adjective they modify. This word is no exception.

Next comes the main verb or adjective. If it is a verb, it represents the action that is about to happen, such as 'arrive' (到 - dào), 'start' (开始 - kāishǐ), or 'finish' (结束 - jiéshù). If it is an adjective, it represents a state that is about to be achieved, such as 'dark' (黑 - hēi) or 'cold' (冷 - lěng).

天气快要冷了。

Finally, and crucially, the sentence must end with the particle '了' (le). This is not the '了' that indicates past tense or completed action; rather, it is the modal particle '了' that indicates a change of state or a new situation. The combination of '快要' and '了' creates a grammatical bracket around the verb, firmly establishing the meaning of 'about to'.

The Bracket Effect: Many Chinese grammatical structures use this two-part bracketing system to frame a concept, providing clarity and emphasis.

It is also possible to have an object in the sentence. If there is an object, it usually follows the verb, right before the final '了'. For example, 'I am about to eat dinner' would be '我快要吃晚饭了' (Wǒ kuàiyào chī wǎnfàn le).

我快要下班了。

One of the most important rules to remember—and we will discuss this further in the common mistakes section—is that you cannot use a specific time word with this structure. You cannot say 'Tomorrow it is about to rain'. You can only say 'It is about to rain'. The beauty of this structure lies in its simplicity and frequency of use. You can apply it to almost any situation where an event is impending.

比赛快要结束了。

Whether you are talking about a sports match ending, a baby about to cry, or a battery about to die, the formula remains exactly the same.

Versatility: This single grammatical pattern replaces dozens of different phrasing variations you might use in English to express imminence.

手机快要没电了。

By practicing this structure repeatedly with different verbs and subjects, it will quickly become second nature, allowing you to speak more fluently and confidently about the immediate future.

You will hear '快要' (kuàiyào) absolutely everywhere in Chinese-speaking environments. It is not a formal, academic word reserved for literature; it is a highly functional, everyday vocabulary item that permeates daily life. One of the most common contexts is public transportation. When you are riding the subway in Beijing, Shanghai, or Taipei, you will frequently hear announcements using this structure to inform passengers that the train is approaching a station.

列车快要进站了。

Similarly, if you are waiting for a bus with a friend, they might look down the street and exclaim that the bus is about to arrive. Another ubiquitous context is discussing the weather. Weather is a universal topic of small talk, and because weather conditions change rapidly, this word is perfectly suited for observing those changes.

Weather Observations: It is incredibly common to use this structure when looking out a window and noticing dark clouds or feeling a drop in temperature.

You will hear people say it is about to rain, snow, or get dark.

好像快要下雪了。

In the workplace or at school, this word is essential for managing time and schedules. Colleagues will use it to remind each other that a meeting is about to start, or that it is almost time to get off work. Students use it to talk about impending exams or the start of a holiday.

会议快要开始了。

You will also encounter it frequently in entertainment and media. In movies and television shows, dramatic tension is often built using this structure. A character might shout that a bomb is about to explode, or that someone is about to discover a secret.

Dramatic Tension: Scriptwriters love this word because it immediately raises the stakes and tells the audience that an action sequence is imminent.

In everyday social situations, it is used to express personal states or needs. If you are extremely hungry, you might exaggerate and say you are about to starve to death. If you are very tired, you might say you are about to fall asleep standing up.

我饿得快要晕倒了。

This hyperbolic use is very natural and adds color to your conversational Chinese. Furthermore, it is heavily used around festivals and significant dates. As the Lunar New Year approaches, you will hear people constantly saying that the new year is about to arrive, building a collective sense of anticipation.

Festive Anticipation: The weeks leading up to major holidays are filled with this phrase as people prepare and look forward to the celebrations.

春节快要到了。

Because it applies to so many different facets of life, mastering this word is a massive step forward in understanding natural, spoken Mandarin.

While the structure of '快要' (kuàiyào) is generally simple, there are a few specific pitfalls that English speakers frequently fall into. The most significant and common mistake is attempting to use a specific time word in the same sentence. In English, it is perfectly acceptable to say 'The train is about to arrive at 3 PM' or 'Tomorrow, it is going to rain.' Because English allows this flexibility, learners naturally try to translate it directly into Chinese.

明天快要下雨了。 (INCORRECT)

However, in Chinese grammar, '快要' inherently implies an unspecified, immediate future. It means 'soon' or 'about to' in a general sense. If you add a specific time word like 'tomorrow' (明天 - míngtiān), 'next week' (下个星期 - xià gè xīngqī), or 'at five o'clock' (五点 - wǔ diǎn), it creates a logical contradiction in the sentence.

The Time Word Rule: Never, under any circumstances, use a specific time indicator with this specific adverb. It is grammatically incompatible.

If you need to include a specific time, you must switch to a different adverb, specifically '就要' (jiùyào). Another frequent mistake is forgetting the final particle '了' (le). Because English does not have an equivalent particle that must be placed at the end of the sentence to indicate a change of state, learners often drop it.

火车快要到。 (INCORRECT)

Without the '了', the sentence sounds abrupt, unfinished, and grammatically incorrect to a native speaker's ear. The '了' is what confirms that the action is transitioning from a future possibility to an imminent reality.

Missing Particle: Leaving out the final '了' is like leaving off the period at the end of a sentence; it leaves the listener hanging.

A third mistake involves confusing this word with '想' (xiǎng) or '要' (yào) when expressing a personal desire. '快要' expresses objective imminence, not subjective desire.

我快要喝水了。 (Unnatural if you mean 'I want to drink water')

If you mean 'I want to drink water soon', you should use '我想喝水' or '我要喝水'. Using '快要' makes it sound like your body is involuntarily about to consume water, which is a very strange image. Finally, some learners try to negate this structure by adding '不' (bù) or '没' (méi). You cannot say '不快要' to mean 'not about to'. If something is not about to happen, you simply use a different sentence structure entirely, usually stating what is happening instead, or using '还早' (hái zǎo - still early).

Negation Issues: This structure is inherently affirmative. It describes an approaching reality. It does not have a direct negative form.

电影不快要开始。 (INCORRECT)

电影还没开始。 (CORRECT - The movie hasn't started yet)

By being aware of these specific constraints, you can avoid the most common errors and use this essential vocabulary word with confidence and precision.

In Mandarin Chinese, expressing the immediate future is a nuanced affair, and '快要' (kuàiyào) is part of a family of related adverbs that all mean 'soon' or 'about to'. Understanding the subtle differences between these alternatives is key to achieving fluency. The most closely related word, and the one most often confused with our target vocabulary, is '就要' (jiùyào). Both translate to 'about to' in English, but their grammatical rules differ significantly.

他明天就要走了。

As mentioned in the common mistakes section, '就要' can and often must be used with a specific time word, whereas '快要' cannot. If you want to say 'He is leaving tomorrow', you must use '就要'.

The Specific Time Alternative: When your sentence includes words like 'next week', 'tomorrow', or 'at 8 PM', '就要' is your mandatory alternative.

Another very common alternative is simply using '快' (kuài) on its own, followed by the verb and '了'. For example, '快到了' (kuài dào le) means 'almost there' or 'arriving soon'.

我们快到了。

The difference here is mostly stylistic and rhythmic. '快...了' is slightly more colloquial and punchy, often used in rapid, informal speech. '快要' is slightly more formal and emphatic, giving a bit more weight to the impending action. You might also encounter '马上' (mǎshàng), which literally translates to 'on horseback' but means 'immediately' or 'right away'.

Immediate Action: '马上' implies a much shorter timeframe than '快要'. It means action will be taken within seconds or minutes.

我马上来。

If someone calls you and asks where you are, and you are walking up to their door, you would say '我马上到' (I am arriving immediately), not '我快要到了', which might imply you are still a few blocks away. Then there is the simple '要...了' (yào...le) structure. This is the most basic form of expressing future change of state.

天要下雨了。

Adding '快' to make it '快要' simply intensifies the speed or imminence of the action. '要下雨了' means 'It is going to rain', while '快要下雨了' means 'It is about to rain very soon'. By understanding this spectrum of words—from the general future of '要', to the imminent '快要', to the specific '就要', and the immediate '马上'—you can express time and anticipation with incredible precision.

The Spectrum of Soon: Mastering this spectrum allows you to control the psychological pacing of your sentences, just like a native speaker.

这节课快要结束了，大家准备一下。

Choosing the right alternative depends entirely on the context, the presence of time words, and exactly how urgently you want to convey the approaching event.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"会议即将开始，请各位代表就座。"

Neutral

"会议快要开始了，大家准备一下。"

Informell

"快开会了，赶紧的！"

Child friendly

"动画片快要开始啦，快坐好！"

Umgangssprache

"我快要裂开了。"

Wusstest du?

The character '快' (kuài) is composed of the 'heart' radical (忄) on the left and the phonetic component '夬' (guài) on the right. This shows that speed was historically linked to a state of mind or emotion in Chinese culture. When you say something is '快要' happening, you are literally saying it is 'quickly wanting' to happen.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /kwaɪ.jaʊ/

US /kwaɪ.jaʊ/

Both syllables are fourth tone (falling), but in natural speech, the 'kuài' is often slightly more stressed than the 'yào'.

Reimt sich auf

外貌 (wàimào) 乖巧 (guāiqiǎo) 坏笑 (huàixiào) 海岛 (hǎidǎo) 太少 (tàishǎo) 买票 (mǎipiào) 代表 (dàibiǎo) 赛跑 (sàipǎo)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'kuài' as two distinct syllables 'ku-ai'. It should be one smooth glide.
Failing to use the sharp falling tone (4th tone) on both characters, which can make it sound like a question or a different word.
Pronouncing 'yào' like the English word 'yo'. It must have the 'ao' (ow) sound.
Dropping the 'y' sound in 'yào', making it sound like 'ào'.
Saying it too slowly. As an adverb of imminence, it is usually spoken relatively quickly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Very common characters, easy to recognize in context.

Schreiben 3/5

The characters 快 and 要 are basic, but remembering the grammatical rule (no time words) takes practice.

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce, flows naturally in speech.

Hören 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually stressed in a sentence.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

快 (fast) 要 (want/will) 了 (particle) 去 (go) 来 (come)

Als Nächstes lernen

就要 (about to - with time) 马上 (immediately) 即将 (soon - formal) 打算 (plan to) 会 (will)

Fortgeschritten

濒临 (on the verge of) 迫在眉睫 (imminent) 指日可待 (just around the corner) 一触即发 (explosive situation) 岌岌可危 (in imminent danger)

Wichtige Grammatik

The modal particle '了' indicating change of state.

下雨了 (It has started raining) vs. 快要下雨了 (It is about to rain).

Degree complement with '得' to express extreme states.

累得快要倒下了 (So tired that one is about to collapse).

Time clauses with '的时候' (when).

电影快要开始的时候，他才来。(He only arrived when the movie was about to start.)

Difference between 快要 and 就要 regarding specific time words.

明天就要考试了 (Correct) vs. 明天快要考试了 (Incorrect).

Using 好像 (seems like) for uncertain imminent events.

好像快要下雨了。(It seems like it's about to rain.)

Beispiele nach Niveau

火车快要到了。

The train is about to arrive.

Subject (火车) + 快要 + Verb (到) + 了.

天快要黑了。

It is about to get dark.

Subject (天) + 快要 + Adjective (黑) + 了.

我快要吃饭了。

I am about to eat.

Subject (我) + 快要 + Verb (吃) + Object (饭) + 了.

下雨了，快要下雨了。

It's raining, it's about to rain.

Using 快要 to indicate an imminent weather change.

电影快要开始了。

The movie is about to start.

Subject (电影) + 快要 + Verb (开始) + 了.

我们快要回家了。

We are about to go home.

Subject (我们) + 快要 + Verb phrase (回家) + 了.

他快要哭了。

He is about to cry.

Subject (他) + 快要 + Verb (哭) + 了.

水快要开了。

The water is about to boil.

Subject (水) + 快要 + Verb (开) + 了.

快点，超市快要关门了。

Hurry up, the supermarket is about to close.

Used to create urgency.

我的手机快要没电了。

My phone is about to run out of battery.

Common daily life phrase indicating an impending state.

新年快要到了，我很开心。

The New Year is about to arrive, I am very happy.

Expressing anticipation for a holiday.

这节课快要结束了。

This class is about to end.

Subject (这节课) + 快要 + Verb (结束) + 了.

冬天快要来了，天气越来越冷。

Winter is about to come, the weather is getting colder and colder.

Connecting imminent future with a changing state.

大家准备一下，会议快要开始了。

Everyone prepare a bit, the meeting is about to start.

Used as a polite warning or reminder.

我快要看完了这本书。

I am about to finish reading this book.

快要 + Verb + Resultative complement (完) + 了.

别着急，公共汽车快要来了。

Don't worry, the bus is about to come.

Used to reassure someone.

太阳快要落山的时候，我们终于到了山顶。

Just as the sun was about to set, we finally reached the top of the mountain.

Used within a time clause (...的时候) to set a narrative scene.

我饿得快要晕倒了，我们去吃饭吧。

I am so hungry I am about to faint, let's go eat.

Used with the degree complement (得) for exaggeration.

比赛快要结束时，他进了一个球。

When the match was about to end, he scored a goal.

Narrative use indicating a critical moment.

那个旧房子快要倒塌了，很危险。

That old house is about to collapse, it's very dangerous.

Describing an impending physical change or danger.

听说他们快要结婚了，是真的吗？

I heard they are about to get married, is it true?

Discussing future plans or rumors.

我的耐心快要用光了。

My patience is about to run out.

Metaphorical use with abstract nouns.

飞机快要起飞了，请系好安全带。

The plane is about to take off, please fasten your seatbelts.

Standard announcement phrasing.

如果再不下雨，这些植物快要干死了。

If it doesn't rain soon, these plants are about to die of thirst.

Used in a conditional context to show an impending negative result.

这段时间太忙了，我累得快要崩溃了。

I've been too busy recently, I'm so tired I'm about to collapse.

Advanced hyperbolic expression of physical/mental state.

看着他滑稽的动作，我快要笑岔气了。

Watching his funny movements, I was about to die laughing.

Colloquial idiom integration (笑岔气).

这个项目快要进入尾声了，大家再坚持一下。

This project is about to enter its final stage, everyone hold on a little longer.

Professional context, using more formal vocabulary (进入尾声).

传统手工艺快要失传了，我们需要保护它。

Traditional handicrafts are about to be lost, we need to protect them.

Discussing societal or cultural trends.

真相快要大白于天下了。

The truth is about to be revealed to the world.

Using a four-character idiom (大白于天下) with the structure.

由于资金短缺，这家公司快要破产了。

Due to a shortage of funds, this company is about to go bankrupt.

Business and economic context.

我气得快要爆炸了，他怎么能这么做！

I am so angry I am about to explode, how could he do this!

Strong emotional expression.

这项新技术快要改变我们的生活方式了。

This new technology is about to change our way of life.

Discussing future impact and innovation.

旧的体制快要瓦解，新的秩序正在建立。

The old system is about to collapse, and a new order is being established.

Used in formal, abstract discussions of politics or society.

在那个动荡的年代，国家快要陷入分裂的边缘。

In that turbulent era, the country was on the verge of falling into division.

Historical narrative, combining with '陷入...的边缘' (on the verge of).

他的理论快要颠覆我们对宇宙的认知了。

His theory is about to subvert our understanding of the universe.

Academic context, using high-level vocabulary (颠覆, 认知).

这座冰川融化的速度极快，快要彻底消失了。

This glacier is melting extremely fast, it is about to disappear completely.

Scientific/environmental observation.

长期的压抑让他快要窒息，他急需一个宣泄的出口。

Long-term suppression made him feel like he was about to suffocate; he desperately needed an outlet.

Psychological description.

随着人工智能的发展，许多传统职业快要被淘汰了。

With the development of artificial intelligence, many traditional professions are about to be eliminated.

Societal analysis.

那段尘封的记忆快要被时间抹去了。

That dusty memory is about to be erased by time.

Literary and poetic usage.

谈判快要破裂时，双方终于达成了一致。

Just as the negotiations were about to break down, both sides finally reached an agreement.

Describing a critical turning point in a formal setting.

文明的火种在黑暗中摇曳，仿佛快要熄灭，却又顽强地燃烧着。

The spark of civilization flickered in the darkness, as if about to go out, yet burning stubbornly.

Highly literary, metaphorical use.

这种罕见的方言快要绝迹了，语言学家们正在抢救性地记录。

This rare dialect is on the verge of extinction; linguists are doing salvage recording.

Academic and preservation context.

他那番慷慨激昂的演讲，让台下的听众激动得快要按捺不住内心的狂热。

His impassioned speech made the audience so excited they could hardly contain their inner fervor.

Complex emotional description with advanced vocabulary (按捺不住).

经济泡沫膨胀到了极点，快要破裂的预兆已然显现。

The economic bubble has expanded to its limit; the omens of its imminent bursting have already appeared.

Macroeconomic analysis.

在漫长的等待中，希望的曙光似乎快要被绝望的阴霾彻底吞噬。

In the long wait, the dawn of hope seemed about to be completely swallowed by the haze of despair.

Poetic and dramatic prose.

这部鸿篇巨制快要付梓，作者的心情可谓百感交集。

This monumental work is about to be published (sent to the press), and the author's feelings are truly mixed.

Using classical/literary vocabulary (付梓 - to publish/print).

全球气候变暖的临界点快要被突破，人类面临着前所未有的挑战。

The tipping point of global warming is about to be breached; humanity faces unprecedented challenges.

Global issue discourse.

那丝若有若无的线索，快要在他脑海中拼凑出完整的真相。

That faint, almost imperceptible clue was about to piece together the complete truth in his mind.

Nuanced psychological narrative.

Häufige Kollokationen

快要到了

快要结束了

快要开始了

快要下雨了

快要死了

快要没电了

快要关门了

快要黑了

快要哭了

快要崩溃了

Häufige Phrasen

快要到了

快要下雨了

快要没电了

快要迟到了

快要过年了

快要下班了

快要疯了

快要睡着了

快要天亮了

快要放假了

Wird oft verwechselt mit

快要 vs 就要 (jiùyào)

Both mean 'about to'. However, 就要 MUST be used if there is a specific time word in the sentence (e.g., 明天就要走了). 快要 CANNOT be used with specific time words.

快要 vs 马上 (mǎshàng)

马上 means 'immediately' or 'right away'. It implies a much faster action than 快要. You use 马上 for things happening in seconds or minutes, while 快要 can mean hours or days depending on context.

快要 vs 想 (xiǎng) / 要 (yào)

Learners sometimes use 快要 to mean 'I want to do something soon'. This is incorrect. 快要 describes an objective fact that is about to happen, not a subjective desire.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"千呼万唤始出来"

Appearing after being called many times. Can be used humorously when something that was 'about to' happen for a long time finally does.

这辆公交车真是千呼万唤始出来啊。

Literary/Humorous

"迫在眉睫"

Extremely urgent; imminent. Literally 'pressing on the eyelashes'.

环境保护的问题已经迫在眉睫。

Formal

"指日可待"

Can be expected soon; just around the corner.

只要我们努力，成功指日可待。

Formal/Positive

"危在旦夕"

In imminent danger; on the verge of death or destruction.

病人的情况很严重，危在旦夕。

Formal/Serious

"呼之欲出"

Vividly portrayed; or, a truth/result that is about to be revealed.

经过调查，真相已经呼之欲出。

Literary

"摇摇欲坠"

Tottering; on the verge of collapse.

那座老桥看起来摇摇欲坠。

Descriptive

"一触即发"

On the verge of breaking out; explosive situation.

两国的关系紧张，战争一触即发。

Formal/News

"山雨欲来风满楼"

The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains. A sign of approaching trouble.

现在的局势真是山雨欲来风满楼啊。

Literary/Metaphorical

"箭在弦上"

The arrow is on the bowstring; a situation where action is imminent and unavoidable.

事情已经到了这个地步，如同箭在弦上，不得不发。

Idiomatic

"朝不保夕"

In a precarious state; not knowing what will happen from morning to evening.

那家公司经营不善，现在已经是朝不保夕了。

Formal/Negative

Leicht verwechselbar

快要 vs 就要

Both translate to 'about to' or 'going to' in English.

The critical difference lies in the use of time words. If you say 'tomorrow', 'next year', or 'at 5 PM', you must use 就要. If you are just making a general statement that something will happen soon without specifying exactly when, you use 快要. Think of 就要 as 'scheduled imminent' and 快要 as 'unscheduled imminent'.

明天就要下雨了 (Correct). 明天快要下雨了 (Incorrect).

快要 vs 将要

Similar characters and meaning.

将要 is much more formal than 快要. It is usually found in written Chinese, news reports, or formal speeches. It also does not strictly require the final particle '了' like 快要 does. It translates more closely to 'will' or 'shall' in a formal context.

我们将要面临巨大的挑战。(We will face huge challenges.)

快要 vs 快

It is the first character of 快要.

When used alone before a verb and followed by 了, 快 functions exactly like 快要 but is more colloquial and informal. It is often used in fast-paced speech. 快要 sounds slightly more complete and standard.

快到了 (Almost there) vs. 快要到了 (About to arrive).

快要 vs 马上

Both indicate future action.

马上 means 'immediately'. It is an adverb of time, not an aspectual marker like 快要. You can use 马上 with or without 了, and it implies action taking place right this second. 快要 implies a short period of waiting.

我马上来 (I'm coming right now) vs. 我快要来了 (I'm about to come/I'll be there soon).

快要 vs 即将

Synonym meaning 'soon'.

即将 is the highly formal, written equivalent of 快要. You will see 即将 on official signs, in news broadcasts, or in academic papers. You would rarely use 即将 in casual conversation with a friend.

列车即将进站 (The train is about to enter the station - formal announcement).

Satzmuster

Subject + 快要 + Verb + 了

火车快要到了。

Subject + 快要 + Adjective + 了

天快要黑了。

Subject + 快要 + Verb + Object + 了

我快要吃晚饭了。

Event/Festival + 快要 + 到了

新年快要到了。

Subject + [Emotion/State] 得 + 快要 + Verb + 了

我累得快要睡着了。

Clause, Subject + 快要 + Verb + 了

天阴了，快要下雨了。

Subject + 好像 + 快要 + Verb + 了

他好像快要哭了。

在...的时候，Subject + 快要 + Verb + 了

在比赛快要结束的时候，他进球了。

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely High. It is one of the top 500 most frequently used words in spoken Mandarin.

Häufige Fehler

明天快要下雨了。 → 明天就要下雨了。
You cannot use a specific time word (明天 - tomorrow) with 快要. When a specific time is mentioned, you must use 就要.
火车快要到。 → 火车快要到了。
The structure requires the modal particle '了' at the end of the sentence to indicate the impending change of state. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
我不快要回家。 → 我还没打算回家。 / 我还不回家。
快要 cannot be directly negated with 不 or 没. It is an affirmative structure. To express the negative, you must use a different phrasing entirely.
我快要喝一杯咖啡。 → 我想喝一杯咖啡。
Learners often use 快要 to translate 'I want to... soon'. 快要 is for objective events about to happen, not subjective desires. Use 想 or 要 for desires.
下个月他快要结婚了。 → 下个月他就要结婚了。
Similar to the first mistake, '下个月' (next month) is a specific time phrase. Therefore, 就要 must be used instead of 快要.

Tipps

The Golden Rule of Time Words

Never pair 快要 with specific time words like 明天 (tomorrow) or 八点 (8 o'clock). If you have a specific time, switch your adverb to 就要.

The Inseparable Pair

Always treat 快要 and the final particle 了 as an inseparable pair. When you say the first, your brain should automatically prepare to say the second at the end of the sentence.

Drop the 'Yào' for Speed

When speaking quickly with friends, you can drop the 要 and just use 快...了. '快下雨了' sounds very natural and native-like in casual settings.

Exaggerate with Emotions

Use 快要 to exaggerate your physical or emotional state. '我快要饿死了' (I'm about to starve to death) is a very common and colorful way to say you are very hungry.

Listen for the Warning

When you hear 快要, treat it as an auditory warning sign. The speaker is usually trying to alert you to an impending change, like a bus arriving or rain starting.

Learn with Weather

The easiest way to practice this structure is with weather vocabulary. Practice saying 'It's about to rain/snow/get dark/get cold' to build muscle memory.

Building Suspense

In writing, use 快要 to build suspense. Describing what is 'about to' happen keeps the reader engaged and anticipating the next sentence.

快要 vs. 马上

Remember the scale of time: 马上 (immediately, seconds/minutes) -> 快要 (soon, minutes/hours) -> 要 (going to, general future).

Tone Practice

Practice the double 4th tone (falling tone) of kuài yào. It should sound sharp and decisive, matching the urgency of the meaning.

Holiday Anticipation

Use this phrase heavily in the weeks leading up to major holidays. '快要过年了' is a great conversation starter in China during January or February.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine you are driving a car very FAST (快 - kuài) because you WANT (要 - yào) to get there before it rains. You are ABOUT TO arrive.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a ticking stopwatch (representing 快 - fast) next to a crystal ball showing the future (representing 要 - will/going to). Together, they show the immediate future.

Word Web

快要 about to soon 快 (fast) 要 (want/will) 了 (change of state) 马上 (immediately) 时间 (time)

Herausforderung

Look around your room right now. Find three things that are 'about to' happen or change state. For example, is your coffee about to get cold? Is your phone about to die? Say the sentences out loud using '快要...了'.

Wortherkunft

The word '快要' is a compound of two very common Chinese characters. '快' (kuài) originally meant 'pleased' or 'cheerful' (which is why it has the heart radical 忄), but its meaning evolved to mean 'fast' or 'quick' because doing things quickly was associated with feeling good or being efficient. '要' (yào) originally depicted a woman with hands on her waist, meaning 'waist', but was borrowed phonetically to mean 'to want' or 'will/going to'. When combined, 'fast' + 'going to' logically creates the concept of 'about to happen quickly'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Fast + going to = about to.

Sino-Tibetan

Kultureller Kontext

No specific cultural sensitivities. It is a neutral, highly functional grammatical word.

English speakers often rely heavily on 'going to' or 'will' for all future events. In Chinese, you must distinguish between the general future (会), the planned future (打算), and the imminent future (快要).

Many Chinese pop songs use '快要' in their lyrics to express intense, impending emotion, such as '我快要疯了' (I'm about to go crazy). In classical Chinese literature translations, '快要' is often used to render dramatic moments of impending doom or sudden realization. Weather forecasts on Chinese television frequently use the formal equivalent '即将', but the street-level conversation about the same forecast will always use '快要'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Weather Observations

快要下雨了
快要下雪了
天快要黑了
快要晴天了

Transportation

火车快要到了
公交车快要来了
飞机快要起飞了
快要到站了

Daily Schedules

快要下班了
快要上课了
快要吃饭了
快要睡觉了

Technology

手机快要没电了
电脑快要死机了
电影快要下载完了
洗衣机快要洗完了

Emotional States

快要气死了
快要累死了
快要饿晕了
快要急疯了

Gesprächseinstiege

"你看天这么黑，是不是快要下雨了？我们带伞了吗？"

"我手机快要没电了，你带充电宝了吗？借我用一下。"

"电影快要开始了，你去买爆米花，我去检票吧。"

"快要过年了，你打算回老家还是留在这里？"

"这节课快要结束了，下课后我们去吃什么？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a time when you were waiting for something that was 'about to' happen. How did you feel?

Write about the weather today. Is it 'about to' change? Use 快要 in your description.

Imagine you are at a train station. Describe the scene using 快要 to talk about the trains and people.

What is a major holiday or event that is 'about to' happen in your life? How are you preparing?

Write a short dramatic story where something important is 'about to' happen at the very end.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you absolutely cannot. This is the most common mistake learners make. '快要' implies an unspecified immediate future. If you want to say 'It will rain tomorrow', you must use '就要' (jiùyào) instead: 明天就要下雨了.

Yes, in almost all standard cases. The structure is a pair: 快要...了. The '了' indicates the change of state (from not happening to happening). Without it, the sentence sounds grammatically incomplete to a native speaker.

马上 means 'immediately' or 'right this second'. 快要 means 'about to' or 'soon'. If you say '我马上到', you are likely walking through the door. If you say '我快要到了', you might still be a few streets away.

Yes, but only if the context makes 'next year' feel imminent relative to a longer timeline. For example, if you are talking about a 10-year project, you can say '项目快要完成了' even if it takes another year. However, you cannot explicitly say '明年快要完成了'.

You generally don't. 快要 is used to affirm that something is about to happen. If something is NOT about to happen, you would use a different structure, such as '还没' (not yet) or '还早' (still early). For example: 电影还没开始 (The movie hasn't started yet).

Yes, absolutely! It is very common to use it with adjectives to describe a state that is about to change. For example, 天快要黑了 (It's about to get dark) or 天气快要冷了 (The weather is about to get cold).

It is neutral and standard. It is perfectly appropriate for both everyday casual conversation and standard professional communication. For highly formal written text, '即将' is preferred. For very casual slang, just '快...了' is often used.

No, that sounds unnatural. 快要 describes an objective impending event, not a personal desire. If you want to express desire, use 想 (xiǎng) or 要 (yào): 我想喝水. Saying 我快要喝水了 sounds like your body is involuntarily about to drink water.

While 要 does mean 'want', it also functions as an auxiliary verb meaning 'will' or 'going to'. In the compound 快要, it carries the meaning of 'going to', combined with 快 (fast), to mean 'going to happen fast' or 'about to'.

Yes, you can. You can ask if something is about to happen. For example: 火车是不是快要到了？ (Is the train about to arrive?) or 电影快要开始了吗？ (Is the movie about to start?).

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Translate to Chinese: The train is about to arrive.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Subject + 快要 + Verb + 了.