差不多 - Grammar

差不多, translated literally, means "the difference is not much." In practice, it means something like "more or less," and is useful for expressing rough approximations.

1，差不多 (chàbuduō) as a Predicate

As a predicate, 差不多 can be used pretty much all by itself to complete a sentence after you tell us what subject we're talking about. When several things are 差不多 (chàbuduō), it means they are "more or less the same." So actually 差不多 (chàbuduō) is often understood to mean 差不多一样 (chàbuduō yīyàng), but you don't say the 一样 (yīyàng) part. You just say 差不多 (chàbuduō).

1.1 Simple Subject

Let's first assume that the subject is an easily understood group of people or things.

Structure：Subj. + 差不多

You might also add a 都 (dōu) in before 差不多 (chàbuduō) if there are more than two things being compared.

Examples:

这几个地方都差不多 。

These places are all pretty much the same.

这 两个词的意思差不多 。

The meanings of these two words are pretty much the same.

我们的想法差不多 。

Our ways of thinking are pretty much the same.

你们的中文水平差不多 。

Your Chinese levels are almost the same.

1.2 Several Subjects

Let's add in a few different subjects now, using the Chinese word for "and."

Structure：A + 跟 / 和 + B + 差不多

Examples:

上海 和 纽约 差不多。

Shanghai and New York are basically the same.

Starbucks 和 Costa 差不多。

Starbucks and Costa are almost the same.

这里 的 天气 跟 台湾 的 天气 差不多。

The weather here is pretty much like Taiwan's.

2, 差不多 (chàbuduō) as an Adverb

When using 差不多 (chàbuduō) as an adverb, place it before the adjective or verb.

Structure: 差不多 + Adj. / Verb

Examples:

这两个孩子 差不多 大。

These two children are more or less the same age.

我 跟 我哥哥 差不多 高。

My older brother and I are more or less the same height.

我 差不多 到 公园 门口 了。

I'm almost at the entrance of the park.

3, 差不多with a Quantity or Time Phrase

After 差不多 (chàbuduō) you can also add a phrase that expresses quantity or time. This makes it clear that you're giving a rough estimate.

Structure: 差不多 ＋ [Quantity Phrase] / [Time Phrase]

Examples:

你 儿子 差不多 五 岁 了 吧？

Your son should be about 5 years old, right?

他 住 在 上海 差不多 三 个 月 了。

He has lived in Shanghai for about three months.

我 在 这 家 公司 工作 了 差不多 十 年 了。

I've worked for this company for almost ten years.