How to say I almost missed my exam?

Winston K.C1Kwiziq community member

How to say I almost missed my exam?

If "J'ai failli rater mon examen" means I almost failed my exam, how would one say I almost missed my exam? Seems like there is some ambiguities in the word rater in this context. Thanks.

Asked 4 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

«J'ai failli manquer mon examen» perhaps?

CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Winston,

Maarten has translated the phrase impeccably. 

A few more details on 'rater', it is also a verb that is used as a synonym of 'manquer' (= 'to miss') in a very familiar or an oral context.

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée!

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Bonjour Celine, in the context of being synonymous with manquer, does je te rate mean you miss me or I miss you?

CélineKwiziq team member

Bonjour Chris,

As mentioned earlier ‘rater’ can be used to replace ‘manquer’ in a very familiar context. I have included some examples to clarify:

‘manquer [qqn/qch]’ / ‘rater [qqn/qch]’ = ‘miss [sb/sth]’

Tu l’as manquée / ratée de peu you’ve just missed her

Tu viens juste de la manquer / rater = You’ve just missed her

J’ai manqué / raté mon train = I missed my train

Le tireur a manqué / raté sa cible = the sniper missed his target

 

Attention: ‘rater’ can’t be used in the context of ‘to miss [sb]’ (= to feel a void). You will use ‘manquer à [qqn]’

Tu me manques = I miss you

Je te manque = you miss me

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

How to say I almost missed my exam?

If "J'ai failli rater mon examen" means I almost failed my exam, how would one say I almost missed my exam? Seems like there is some ambiguities in the word rater in this context. Thanks.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...