Translation guide
The English word 'almost' is used to mean 'nearly' or 'not quite'. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs and phrases depending on the context, such as degree of completion, quantity, or time.
Expressing that something is close to happening or being the case, but not completely.
The most common and versatile word for 'almost'. It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Often implies 'most' or 'nearly all'.
I've almost finished my homework.
I go jogging almost every day.
Literally 'with a little more', used before a verb to mean 'almost' or 'nearly' did something, often with a sense of 'came close to'. Commonly used with past tense verbs.
I almost missed the train.
Means 'almost' or 'nearly' in a factual, quantitative sense. Often used with numbers, percentages, or to mean 'virtually'. Slightly more formal than ほとんど.
The plan is almost complete.
Almost half of the participants were women.
Indicating that a quantity or number is close to a specific value.
Means 'approximately' or 'about'. Used before numbers. More precise than 'almost' but often interchangeable in context.
Almost 100 people gathered.
As above, used with numbers to mean 'almost' or 'nearly'.
Can also be used with quantities, meaning 'almost all' or 'most'.
Describing a situation where an action nearly occurred, often with a negative outcome.
Attach to the verb stem (masu-form without ます) to mean 'almost did (unintentionally)' or 'was about to'. Often used for accidental or undesirable events.
I almost fell.
I almost cried.
Used with dictionary form of verb. Emphasizes that something was narrowly avoided. Often used with past tense.
I almost forgot.
Similar to もう少しで, but implies a sense of danger or risk. Somewhat formal/literary.
I was almost in an accident.
Expressing that something is almost not the case, i.e., 'hardly' or 'barely'.
Used with a negative verb or adjective to mean 'hardly', 'barely', or 'almost no'. The negative form is essential.
I've hardly slept.
There's almost no difference.
Means 'rarely' or 'almost never'. Used with negative verb.
He almost never gets angry.
ほとんど is more subjective and can imply 'most' or 'practically'. ほぼ is more objective and quantitative, often used with numbers or factual statements. ほとんど can be used with negative forms (ほとんど〜ない), while ほぼ is not typically used that way.
It's almost finished. (subjective feeling)
It's almost finished. (factual, e.g., 90% done)
English 'almost' can modify many parts of speech, but Japanese often requires different constructions. For example, 'almost never' is not ほとんど決して but めったに〜ない. 'Almost all' can be ほとんど全部 or ほぼ全て. Pay attention to the natural collocations.
Almost everyone agreed.
ほとんど全部食べてしまった。
I ate almost all of it.