Learning how to say “almost” in French can be helpful when describing situations, giving instructions, or sharing stories. In English, we use “almost” to explain that something was close to happening but didn’t, or to show how close something is to being complete. In French, there are several ways to express this idea, depending on the context.
In this article, we’ll learn the main translation for “almost” in French and explore other phrases that can be used in similar situations. We will also look at how to respond when someone uses “almost” in a sentence and practice through simple exercises. By the end, you’ll feel ready to use “almost” confidently in French conversations.
Ways to Say “Almost” in French
There are many ways to express the word “almost” in French, depending on what you want to say. It’s useful to know these variations because they can help you describe situations more precisely. Below, you’ll find a list of common ways to say “almost,” with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
1. Presque
Pronunciation: press-k
Meaning: Almost.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai presque fini mes devoirs. (I almost finished my homework.)
- Elle a presque raté son train. (She almost missed her train.)
2. Quasiment
Pronunciation: ka-zee-mohn
Meaning: Nearly or almost, often interchangeable with “presque.”
In a Sentence:
- Le film est quasiment terminé. (The movie is almost over.)
- Il est quasiment certain qu’il viendra. (It’s almost certain he will come.)
3. À peu près
Pronunciation: ah puh prey
Meaning: Approximately or nearly.
In a Sentence:
- Il y avait à peu près 20 personnes à la fête. (There were almost 20 people at the party.)
- Elle a couru à peu près 5 kilomètres. (She ran almost 5 kilometers.)
4. Pratiquement
Pronunciation: prak-tee-koh-mahn
Meaning: Practically or almost.
In a Sentence:
- La tâche est pratiquement impossible. (The task is almost impossible.)
- Nous avons pratiquement tout mangé. (We ate almost everything.)
5. Sur le point de
Pronunciation: syr luh pwah duh
Meaning: About to or almost doing something.
In a Sentence:
- Il était sur le point de pleurer. (He was almost crying.)
- Nous étions sur le point de partir. (We were almost leaving.)
6. Tout juste
Pronunciation: too zhust
Meaning: Barely or just almost.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a tout juste réussi l’examen. (She barely passed the exam.)
- Nous avons tout juste terminé à temps. (We almost finished on time.)
7. Manquer de
Pronunciation: mahn-kay duh
Meaning: To almost or to lack.
In a Sentence:
- Il a manqué de tomber. (He almost fell.)
- Nous avons manqué de temps pour finir. (We almost ran out of time to finish.)
8. Faillir
Pronunciation: fah-yee
Meaning: To almost do something, often used in past tense.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai failli oublier mes clés. (I almost forgot my keys.)
- Ils ont failli perdre le match. (They almost lost the game.)
9. Être à deux doigts de
Pronunciation: eh-truh ah duh dwah duh
Meaning: To be two fingers away from, meaning “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Il était à deux doigts de renoncer. (He was almost about to give up.)
- Elle était à deux doigts de réussir. (She was almost succeeding.)
10. Peu s’en faut
Pronunciation: puh sahn foh
Meaning: Not much is missing; used for “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Peu s’en faut qu’il ne pleuve. (It’s almost raining.)
- Peu s’en faut qu’elle rate son vol. (She almost missed her flight.)
11. À un cheveu de
Pronunciation: ah uh shuh-vuh duh
Meaning: A hair away from, meaning “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Il était à un cheveu de la victoire. (He was a hair away from victory.)
- Nous étions à un cheveu de tomber en panne. (We were almost running out of fuel.)
12. D’un rien
Pronunciation: duh rin
Meaning: By a hair or a tiny margin; almost.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a gagné d’un rien. (She almost lost but won by a hair.)
- La voiture a évité l’accident d’un rien. (The car almost got into an accident.)
13. Tout près de
Pronunciation: too preh duh
Meaning: Very close to or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Il est tout près de terminer. (He is very close to finishing.)
- Nous étions tout près de réussir. (We were almost succeeding.)
14. Environ
Pronunciation: ahn-vee-rohn
Meaning: Around or approximately; sometimes used as “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Il y avait environ 10 personnes. (There were almost 10 people.)
- Elle a attendu environ une heure. (She waited almost an hour.)
15. D’ici peu
Pronunciation: dee-see puh
Meaning: Almost now or soon.
In a Sentence:
- D’ici peu, nous serons prêts. (We’ll be ready almost now.)
- Le train arrive d’ici peu. (The train is almost here.)
16. Pas loin de
Pronunciation: pah lwan duh
Meaning: Not far from, or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Nous ne sommes pas loin de la vérité. (We are almost at the truth.)
- Il n’était pas loin de gagner. (He was almost winning.)
17. Approximativement
Pronunciation: ah-prox-see-mah-teev-mahn
Meaning: Approximately or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Il a attendu approximativement 30 minutes. (He waited almost 30 minutes.)
- Le coût est approximativement 50 euros. (The cost is almost 50 euros.)
18. Pas tout à fait
Pronunciation: pah too tah feh
Meaning: Not quite or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Ce n’est pas tout à fait fini. (It’s not quite finished.)
- Elle n’est pas tout à fait prête. (She’s not quite ready.)
19. En partie
Pronunciation: ahn par-tee
Meaning: Partly or almost.
In a Sentence:
- La tâche est en partie accomplie. (The task is almost complete.)
- Il a en partie raison. (He is almost right.)
20. Partiellement
Pronunciation: par-see-el-mahn
Meaning: Partially or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Le travail est partiellement terminé. (The work is almost finished.)
- La réponse est partiellement correcte. (The answer is almost correct.)
21. À deux pas de
Pronunciation: ah duh pah duh
Meaning: Two steps away from, meaning “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Nous étions à deux pas de l’aéroport. (We were almost at the airport.)
- Elle est à deux pas de réussir. (She is almost succeeding.)
22. Sur le fil
Pronunciation: syr luh feel
Meaning: On the edge or just barely, implying “almost.”
In a Sentence:
- Il a terminé sur le fil. (He finished just barely, almost missing the deadline.)
- Nous avons gagné sur le fil. (We almost lost but barely won.)
23. En limite de
Pronunciation: ahn lee-meet duh
Meaning: On the edge of or almost.
In a Sentence:
- La ville est en limite de zone inondée. (The town is almost in the flooded area.)
- Nous sommes en limite de capacité. (We are almost at full capacity.)
24. Au bord de
Pronunciation: oh bor duh
Meaning: On the verge of, or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Elle était au bord de pleurer. (She was almost crying.)
- Il était au bord de réussir. (He was almost succeeding.)
25. À quelques pas de
Pronunciation: ah kel-kuh pah duh
Meaning: A few steps away from, or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Nous étions à quelques pas de la victoire. (We were almost at victory.)
- Il est à quelques pas de son objectif. (He is almost at his goal.)
26. Juste avant de
Pronunciation: zhust ah-vahn duh
Meaning: Just before or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Elle est partie juste avant de me voir. (She left almost before seeing me.)
- Nous avons fini juste avant de manquer de temps. (We finished just before running out of time.)
27. Aux environs de
Pronunciation: ohz ahn-vee-rohn duh
Meaning: In the vicinity of or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Il y avait aux environs de 50 personnes. (There were almost 50 people.)
- Nous habitons aux environs de cette ville. (We live almost in this city.)
28. À portée de
Pronunciation: ah por-tay duh
Meaning: Within reach of or almost.
In a Sentence:
- Le trophée était à portée de main. (The trophy was almost within reach.)
- Nous étions à portée de notre objectif. (We were almost at our goal.)
Other Ways to Say “Almost” in French
Here is a table with alternative ways to say “almost” in French. These options provide a variety of expressions to use based on context, tone, or style.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Pas loin | pah lwan | Not far, almost | Nous ne sommes pas loin d’arriver. (We’re almost there.) |
| À un souffle | ah uh soofl | A breath away | Il était à un souffle de réussir. (He was a breath away from succeeding.) |
| En bordure de | ahn bor-dyur duh | On the border of, almost | La maison est en bordure de la ville. (The house is almost on the edge of the city.) |
| En approche | ahn ah-prosh | Approaching or almost | Le train est en approche. (The train is almost here.) |
| Au seuil de | oh suh-yee duh | At the threshold of, almost | Elle est au seuil de la victoire. (She is almost at victory.) |
| Tout à coup près de | too tah koo preh duh | Very suddenly close to, almost | Nous étions tout à coup près de partir. (We were almost ready to leave suddenly.) |
| Aux limites | ohz lee-meet | At the limits of, almost | Ils sont aux limites de leurs ressources. (They are almost out of resources.) |
| Juste à côté | zhust ah koh-tay | Just beside, meaning “almost” | La solution est juste à côté. (The solution is almost here.) |
| Dans un instant | dahn uh-nahn-stahn | In a moment, implying “almost” | Nous serons prêts dans un instant. (We’ll be ready almost immediately.) |
| Sous peu | soo puh | Shortly, meaning “almost now” | Le spectacle commence sous peu. (The show is almost starting.) |
| Quasi-complet | ka-zee kom-play | Nearly complete | Le projet est quasi-complet. (The project is almost finished.) |
| À un pas de | ah uh pah duh | One step away from, almost | Nous sommes à un pas de réussir. (We are almost succeeding.) |
Responses to “Almost” in French
When someone uses the word “almost” in a conversation, there are different ways to respond depending on the context. These responses can show agreement, surprise, or further curiosity. Below are some useful ways to reply when someone says “almost” in French.
1. Oui, c’est vrai
Pronunciation: wee, say vray
Meaning: Yes, that’s true.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque fini. (I almost finished.)
- Person 2: Oui, c’est vrai, tu as bien travaillé. (Yes, that’s true, you worked well.)
2. Pas mal
Pronunciation: pah mahl
Meaning: Not bad, implying acknowledgment.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Nous avons presque gagné. (We almost won.)
- Person 2: Pas mal, c’était un bon effort. (Not bad, it was a good effort.)
3. Encore un peu
Pronunciation: ahn-kor uh puh
Meaning: A little more, suggesting encouragement.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Je suis presque arrivé. (I’m almost there.)
- Person 2: Encore un peu, tu y es presque! (A little more, you’re almost there!)
4. Dommage
Pronunciation: doh-mahj
Meaning: Too bad, expressing slight disappointment.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On était presque à temps. (We were almost on time.)
- Person 2: Dommage, mais peut-être la prochaine fois. (Too bad, but maybe next time.)
5. Pas loin!
Pronunciation: pah lwan
Meaning: Not far, as an encouragement or affirmation.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque réussi. (I almost succeeded.)
- Person 2: Pas loin! Continue comme ça. (Not far! Keep it up.)
6. C’est déjà bien
Pronunciation: say day-zha byan
Meaning: That’s already good, showing approval.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Nous avons presque terminé. (We almost finished.)
- Person 2: C’est déjà bien, on peut finir demain. (That’s already good, we can finish tomorrow.)
7. Pas tout à fait
Pronunciation: pah too tah feh
Meaning: Not quite, indicating it’s close but not there yet.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Je pense que c’est presque parfait. (I think it’s almost perfect.)
- Person 2: Pas tout à fait, mais c’est très bien. (Not quite, but it’s very good.)
8. C’est encourageant
Pronunciation: say tahn-koor-ah-zhahn
Meaning: That’s encouraging, offering support.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque compris le problème. (I almost understood the problem.)
- Person 2: C’est encourageant, continue à essayer. (That’s encouraging, keep trying.)
9. Tu y es presque
Pronunciation: ty ee ay press-k
Meaning: You’re almost there, showing motivation.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque terminé mon projet. (I almost finished my project.)
- Person 2: Tu y es presque, courage! (You’re almost there, keep going!)
10. Peut-être la prochaine fois
Pronunciation: puh-tehr lah pro-shen fwah
Meaning: Maybe next time, showing optimism.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On a presque gagné. (We almost won.)
- Person 2: Peut-être la prochaine fois, vous serez les meilleurs! (Maybe next time, you’ll be the best!)
11. Ce n’est pas loin
Pronunciation: suh nay pah lwan
Meaning: It’s not far, expressing encouragement.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque réussi l’examen. (I almost passed the exam.)
- Person 2: Ce n’est pas loin, continue comme ça! (It’s not far, keep it up!)
12. Presque!
Pronunciation: press-k
Meaning: Almost, often used as a playful or encouraging response.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai compris à moitié. (I understood halfway.)
- Person 2: Presque! Essaie encore. (Almost! Try again.)
13. On s’en rapproche
Pronunciation: ohn sahn rah-prosh
Meaning: We’re getting closer, offering motivation.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On est presque là. (We’re almost there.)
- Person 2: Oui, on s’en rapproche! (Yes, we’re getting closer!)
14. Bon effort
Pronunciation: bohn eh-for
Meaning: Good effort, used to praise someone.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque fini mon dessin. (I almost finished my drawing.)
- Person 2: Bon effort, il est déjà très beau. (Good effort, it’s already very beautiful.)
15. Ça arrive
Pronunciation: sah ah-reev
Meaning: It happens, implying understanding.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque réussi à réparer ça. (I almost managed to fix it.)
- Person 2: Pas de souci, ça arrive. (No worries, it happens.)
16. Tant mieux la prochaine fois
Pronunciation: tahn myuh lah pro-shen fwah
Meaning: All the better next time, showing optimism.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: On a presque gagné le match. (We almost won the match.)
- Person 2: Tant mieux la prochaine fois, on gagnera! (All the better next time, we’ll win!)
17. C’est déjà pas mal
Pronunciation: say day-zha pah mahl
Meaning: That’s already not bad, expressing encouragement.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’ai presque terminé le livre. (I almost finished the book.)
- Person 2: C’est déjà pas mal, continue à lire! (That’s already not bad, keep reading!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Almost” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences to help you practice different ways to say “almost” in French. Each sentence uses a real-life context that’s relatable. The answers and translations are provided below.
Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences
- Elle a ________ fini son repas avant le début du film.
- Nous étions ________ de manquer notre vol ce matin.
- Il était ________ de gagner le concours de science.
- Je suis ________ prêt à partir, donne-moi une minute.
- Le train est ________ arrivé à la gare.
- Elle est ________ à un cheveu de résoudre le problème.
- Tu es ________ là! Continue, tu peux y arriver!
- Ils ont ________ manqué de temps pour finir leur projet.
- Le match était ________ terminé quand nous sommes arrivés.
- Nous sommes ________ à deux pas du sommet de la montagne.
- La voiture a évité l’accident d’________ rien.
- Il était ________ au bord de pleurer à cause de la fatigue.
Answers with Translations
- Presque — Elle a presque fini son repas avant le début du film. (She almost finished her meal before the movie started.)
- Sur le point — Nous étions sur le point de manquer notre vol ce matin. (We were almost about to miss our flight this morning.)
- À un cheveu — Il était à un cheveu de gagner le concours de science. (He was almost winning the science contest.)
- Presque — Je suis presque prêt à partir, donne-moi une minute. (I’m almost ready to leave; give me a minute.)
- En approche — Le train est en approche à la gare. (The train is almost at the station.)
- À un cheveu — Elle est à un cheveu de résoudre le problème. (She is almost solving the problem.)
- Presque — Tu es presque là! Continue, tu peux y arriver! (You’re almost there! Keep going, you can do it!)
- Manqué de — Ils ont manqué de temps pour finir leur projet. (They almost ran out of time to finish their project.)
- Pratiquement — Le match était pratiquement terminé quand nous sommes arrivés. (The game was almost over when we arrived.)
- À deux pas — Nous sommes à deux pas du sommet de la montagne. (We’re almost at the top of the mountain.)
- D’un rien — La voiture a évité l’accident d’un rien. (The car almost got into an accident by a hair.)
- Au bord — Il était au bord de pleurer à cause de la fatigue. (He was almost crying from exhaustion.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “almost” in French opens the door to clearer and more expressive communication. Whether you use simple terms like presque or more specific phrases such as à un cheveu de or sur le point de, these expressions help you describe situations with precision and ease.
By practicing and incorporating these phrases into real-life conversations, you’ll grow more confident in your French skills. Remember, every step, even if it’s “almost” perfect, takes you closer to mastering the language. Keep exploring and practicing—success is always near!