beinahe

Beinahe is a German adverb meaning almost or nearly. It signals that an event or outcome came very close to happening but did not. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses, as in examples such as “Beinahe hätte ich den Bus verpasst,” “Es war beinahe unmöglich,” or “Ich bin beinahe eingeschlafen.” The word is commonly placed directly before the verb or at the start of a clause to emphasize the near-miss.

Etymology and usage context: Beinahe is formed from elements related to near or close. It has roots in the Germanic lexicon and has long been part of standard German. It is closely related in meaning to synonyms such as fast and knapp, but it carries a distinctive nuance: beinahe foregrounds the closeness of a result, stressing that the outcome almost occurred.

Synonyms and nuance: Fast and knapp can convey similar ideas of closeness, but with subtle differences. Fast can indicate approximate degree or time, while knapp often emphasizes a very tight margin. Beinahe, by contrast, centers on the idea that the event nearly happened, highlighting the proximity to a threshold or turning point.

Translations and cross-linguistic notes: In English, beinahe is most often translated as almost or nearly. Related terms exist in other Germanic languages (for example, nahezu in German or bijna in Dutch). In usage, beiläufig or formal registers may vary, but beinahe remains a common, neutral term across spoken and written German.