快要 kuài yào
“nearly at the point of (doing sth); about to (do sth)”
adverb2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
快要 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 386: 快要 kuàiyào — Level 2; official annotation 2 (副). PDF page 89
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 快要
An adverb meaning "about to, soon", used before a verb or adjective with 了 at the end of the sentence: 快要下雨了, 快要开学了. Unlike 就要, it cannot be preceded by a stated future time such as 明天 or 三点.
例句Example sentences
- 快要下雨了，我们快回家吧。kuài yào xià yǔ le, wǒ men kuài huí jiā ba.It's about to rain—let's hurry home.
- 火车快要开了。huǒ chē kuài yào kāi le.The train is about to leave.
- 妈妈的生日快要到了，我想送她一件礼物。mā ma de shēng rì kuài yào dào le, wǒ xiǎng sòng tā yí jiàn lǐ wù.Mom's birthday is coming up soon; I want to give her a present.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗明天快要考试了。
✓明天就要考试了。
快要 cannot follow a stated future time; use 就要...了 with time expressions like 明天, or drop the time word.
易混词Easily confused
快要vs就要
就要...了 means the same but can be preceded by a time word (明天就要考试了); 快要 cannot be used that way.