fast
almost
Expresses that something is nearly or approximately the case, but not completely.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin fast fertig mit meiner Arbeit.
I'm almost finished with my work.
fast
almost
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Meanings
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'fast' means 'almost' or 'approximately'. The English word 'fast' (quickly) is 'schnell' in German.
EXAMPLE
Das Glas ist fast leer.
The glass is almost empty.
Typical collocations
'Fast' is often combined with words that describe an endpoint or an extreme, for example 'fast fertig' (almost finished), 'fast voll' (almost full), 'fast immer' (almost always), or 'fast nie' (almost never).
EXAMPLE
Wir sind fast am Ziel.
We're almost at the destination.
Use with negations
You can combine 'fast' with negative words like 'nichts' (nothing), 'niemand' (nobody), or 'kein' (no/not any) to express that only a very small amount is present.
EXAMPLE
Im Kühlschrank ist fast nichts mehr.
There is almost nothing left in the fridge.
Compare with
fast vs kaum
hardly / barely
Both words can express an almost nonexistent amount. „kaum“ directly says that only very little is available, whereas „fast“ normally needs a negation such as „keine“. So use „kaum Zeit“ but „fast keine Zeit“ when you mean the same strong limitation.
fast
Vor der Prüfung habe ich fast keine Zeit zum Lernen.
I have almost no time to study before the exam.
kaum
Vor der Prüfung habe ich kaum Zeit zum Lernen.
I have hardly any time to study before the exam.
In real life
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