Definition

Adverb: - Almost, nearly: Used to describe an event or situation that very nearly happened but did not actually occur. It expresses a close call or a narrow avoidance of an outcome.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Suýt nữa tôi bị lỡ chuyến tàu. (I almost missed the train.)
  • Suýt nữa thì cô ấy khóc. (She nearly cried.)
  • Chúng tôi suýt nữa thắng trận đấu. (We almost won the match.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a tone of relief or regret about the event that was narrowly avoided.
• It is frequently used with "thì" to form the construction "suýt nữa thì...", which strongly emphasizes the immediacy of the near-event.
  • Suýt nữa thì tôi quên chìa khóa. (I very nearly forgot the keys.)

Variants and Related Words

• Suýt (adv): A shorter, more common form with the same core meaning of "almost" or "nearly". It can often be used interchangeably with "suýt nữa", though "suýt nữa" may place slightly more emphasis on the closeness of the call.
  • Tôi suýt ngã. (I almost fell.)

Synonyms

• Almost: Not quite; very nearly.
• Nearly: Very close to; almost.
• On the verge of: At the point where something is about to happen.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Suýt nữa thì...: The classic construction meaning "was within a hair's breadth of..." or "came very close to...".
  • Suýt nữa thì tôi nói ra sự thật. (I came very close to telling the truth.)
• Suýt chút nữa: A reinforced variant meaning "just about; by a whisker".
  • Suýt chút nữa là anh ta bị tai nạn. (He just about had an accident.)

adverb

1. almost, nearly