About to Happen: 要/快要/就要……了
要/快要/就要……了
Express that something is about to happen using 要……了, 快要……了, and 就要……了
All three patterns express imminent action — something is about to happen. 要……了 is general ("about to"). 快要……了 emphasizes urgency ("very soon"). 就要……了 often pairs with a specific time word and implies the moment is fixed.
Key difference: 就要 can be preceded by a specific time word (明天就要考试了), while 快要 usually cannot (not 明天快要考试了). 要 is the most general and flexible.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: About to Happen: 要/快要/就要……了 (要/快要/就要……了)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 要/快要/就要……了 pattern
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Understanding 要/快要/就要……了
These three patterns are your tools for talking about the near future — things that are about to happen. Think of them as three levels of imminence. 要……了 is the broadest — it simply means "about to" or "going to soon." 要下雨了 means rain is coming, maybe in minutes or an hour. 快要……了 adds urgency — 快 means "fast/soon," so 快要放假了 means "vacation is coming very soon!" You can feel the excitement. 就要……了 is the most precise — it often pairs with a specific time: 他们明天就要考试了 (They have their exam tomorrow). The time word + 就要 combination pins down exactly when. All three require 了 at the end — it is the same change-of-state 了 you saw in 该……了. Without 了, the "about to happen" meaning disappears.
Key Points
- 要……了 = "about to / going to" — the most general: 要下雨了。
- 快要……了 = "very soon / almost" — adds urgency: 快要放假了！
- 就要……了 = "about to (at a specific time)" — often with a time word: 明天就要考试了。
- All three require 了 at the end to express the imminent change.
- 就要 can follow a time word; 快要 generally cannot.
- Negative: 还没(有) + verb + 呢 — not 不要……了 (which means "do not").
- 快……了 is a shortened version of 快要……了: 快下课了 = class is almost over.
Chinese New Year conversations are filled with these patterns: 快要过年了！(New Year is almost here!) 就要放假了！(Vacation is about to start!) They express anticipation and excitement for upcoming events.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
要下雨了。
It is about to rain.
General — rain is coming
我们快要放假了。
We are about to go on vacation.
Excitement — vacation is very close
他们明天就要考试了。
They have their exam tomorrow.
Specific time word + 就要
火车要开了！
The train is about to leave!
快要上课了，快走吧！
Class is about to start, let us hurry!
她下个月就要结婚了。
She is getting married next month.
要迟到了！
We are going to be late!
Urgent warning
快要过年了！
Chinese New Year is almost here!
Common Mistakes
Without 了, the imminent meaning is lost. 要下雨 could mean "want rain." 要下雨了 clearly means "it is about to rain."
When a specific time word (明天, 下周) is used, pair it with 就要, not 快要. 快要 implies urgency without specifying when.
不要……了 means "stop doing" or "do not." To say something has not happened yet, use 还没……呢.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Default to 要……了 when you are not sure which to use — it works in all situations.
Use 快要……了 to express excitement or urgency about something coming very soon.
Use 就要……了 when you can name the specific time: 明天就要……了, 下周就要……了.
Practice with daily events: 要上课了！快要下课了！要吃饭了！
Homework
Write three sentences using each pattern (9 total): three with 要……了 (general imminent events), three with 快要……了 (urgent or exciting near-future events), and three with 就要……了 (events with specific times). Include the time context for each.