HSK 2Time & Place
About to Happen
Expressing that something is about to happen imminently.
Pattern
Subject + 快(要) + Verb + 了
Explanation
Place 快, 快要, or 要 before the verb and 了 at the end to express something is about to happen.
快要 emphasizes imminence. 要...了 can also express future certainty. Negate with 不会...了 rather than 不快要.
Examples
火车快要到了。
Huǒchē kuài yào dào le.
The train is about to arrive.
快要下雨了，我们回家吧。
Kuài yào xià yǔ le, wǒmen huí jiā ba.
It's about to rain, let's go home.
他要毕业了。
Tā yào bì yè le.
He is about to graduate.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
他不快要来了。
Correct
他还没来呢。/ 他不会来了。
Cannot negate 快要 directly. Use 还没...呢 or 不会...了.
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