そうになる | Almost Happened in Japanese

It Nearly Happened, And Didn't

そうになる reports something that came close and then did not occur.

Almost always in the past — そうになった — because you are reporting a near miss after the fact.

Both translate as "almost", and they differ on whether the action started:

Pattern	Sense
そうになる	it never began — you nearly fell but didn't
かける	it began and stopped partway

言(い)いかけた means you started speaking. 言(い)いそうになった means the words nearly came out and you caught yourself.

Pattern	Meaning
そうだ	it looks like it will happen
そうになる	it nearly happened

The になる is what shifts it from appearance to a near event.

It pairs with sudden, unwanted events: 転(ころ)ぶ, 落(お)ちる, 忘(わす)れる, 泣(な)く, ぶつかる, and with things you were relieved to avoid.

Example Sentences

Tap any sentence to hear it read aloud.

Speed

階段(かいだん)で転(ころ)びそうになりました。

I nearly fell on the stairs.

電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)り遅(おく)れそうになった。

I almost missed the train.

感動(かんどう)して泣(な)きそうになった。

I was so moved I nearly cried.

約束(やくそく)を忘(わす)れそうになりました。

I almost forgot the appointment.

車(くるま)にぶつかりそうになって驚(おどろ)いた。

I was startled — I nearly hit a car.

荷物(にもつ)が落(お)ちそうになっています。

The luggage is about to fall.

本当(ほんとう)のことを言(い)いそうになった。

I nearly let the truth slip.

眠(ねむ)くて会議中(かいぎちゅう)に寝(ね)そうになった。

I was so sleepy I nearly nodded off in the meeting.