Definition

1. Adverbial phrase (informal):
   • Almost / Nearly / On the verge of: Used to express that something very extreme, surprising, or undesirable very nearly happened, but did not. It emphasizes a narrow escape from an exaggerated or hyperbolic situation.
   • All but / Just short of: Indicates a situation was so close to occurring that only the smallest detail was missing.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Tôi tức giận, thiếu điều đập vỡ cái điện thoại. (I was so angry, I almost smashed the phone.)
  • Con bé mừng thiếu điều nhảy lên. (The girl was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.)
  • Ông ấy nói nhanh, thiếu điều tôi không nghe kịp. (He spoke so fast, I almost couldn't keep up.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used to dramatize a reaction or a potential consequence. It sets up a hyperbolic scenario to emphasize the intensity of the preceding emotion or action.
• It frequently appears in spoken language and informal narratives to add vividness and emotional color.

Variants and Related Words

• Suýt nữa (adv): An almost direct synonym meaning "almost," often used for narrowly avoided accidents or mistakes.
  • Tôi suýt nữa thì ngã. (I almost fell.)
• Xém nữa (adv): Another informal synonym for "almost," similar to "suýt nữa."

Synonyms

• Almost: Used to indicate something very nearly happened.
• Nearly: Very close to being the case.
• On the point of: Ready to do something.
• All but: Very nearly.

Related Idioms

• Thiếu điều... mà thôi: A common construction translating to "all that was missing was..." or "it just lacked...". This mirrors the original French reference.
  • Nó nói chuyện thiếu điều tát nó mà thôi. (He was talking in such a way that I almost slapped him. / His manner of speech was such that all it lacked was me slapping him.)