Spanish · C2 · Family moment
I Almost Missed That Tiny Yawn in Spanish
Learn how to use the 'por poco' and 'casi' constructions in Spanish to express 'avertive' events—things that almost happened but didn't. This guide helps you narrate small, sweet moments with your baby using advanced grammatical structures that add a touch of drama or affection to everyday observations.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of 'por poco' with the present indicative to express near-misses in the past.
- Understand the use of 'casi' with the past tense to describe events that were close to occurring.
- Apply these avertive structures to common parenting scenarios and gentle observations.
Spanish phrases for i almost missed that tiny yawn
Por poco me pierdo ese bostezo tan chiquitito.
I almost missed that tiny yawn.
Using 'por poco' + present tense ('me pierdo') is a common way to express a past near-miss.
Casi me dejo tu osito arriba.
I nearly left your teddy upstairs.
'Casi' followed by the preterite is very natural for describing something nearly forgotten.
¡Por poco te pongo el calcetín en la mano, qué lío!
I almost put your sock on your hand—what a muddle!
'¡Qué lío!' is a great phrase for a small, silly mistake.
Casi se me olvida nuestra cancioncita del baño.
I nearly forgot our little bath song.
Note the accidental 'se' construction ('se me olvida') which emphasizes the unintentional nature of forgetting.
Casi pasamos de largo por donde los patos.
We almost walked past the ducks.
'Pasar de largo' means to pass by without stopping.
Por poco se me resbala la cuchara de la mano.
Your spoon nearly slipped out of my hand.
'Resbalarse' is the verb for slipping; here used with the indirect object 'me'.
Casi cierro el libro antes de llegar a tu página favorita.
I almost closed the book before your favourite page.
'Llegar a' conveys the sense of reaching the specific part of the book.
Por poco me quedo en la mecedora para darte un achuchón más.
I nearly stayed in the rocking chair for one more cuddle.
'Achuchón' is a lovely, informal Spanish word for a big squeeze or cuddle.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Por poco
Almost / Nearly
Typically triggers the present indicative even when referring to the past.
Casi
Almost / Nearly
Can be used with the preterite or the present tense to describe near-misses.
Bostezo
Yawn
Masculine noun.
Lío
Muddle / Mess / Fuzz
Used here to describe a small, confusing mistake.
The Avertive Construction: 'Por poco' vs 'Casi'
In Spanish, to say something 'almost' happened, we use 'casi' or 'por poco'. A unique feature of 'por poco' is that it is frequently followed by the present indicative to describe a past event that was narrowly avoided. While 'casi' often uses the preterite, 'por poco' creates a sense of immediate drama.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Por poco + Present | Por poco + [Verb in Present Indicative] | Por poco me caigo (I almost fell). |
| Casi + Preterite | Casi + [Verb in Preterite] | Casi me caí (I almost fell). |
| Casi + Present | Casi + [Verb in Present Indicative] | Casi me caigo (I almost fall/fell - informal). |
More examples
Por poco se nos olvida la manta.
We almost forgot the blanket.
Uses 'se nos olvida' to indicate the blanket nearly slipped our minds.
Casi te despierto con el ruido.
I nearly woke you up with the noise.
A common 'near-miss' comment for parents.
¡Por poco te doy el biberón de tu hermano!
I almost gave you your brother's bottle!
A lighthearted way to mention a near-mixup.