-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다
almost, nearly (did)
Level 3 · Expression
Explanation
Something (usually bad) nearly happened but didn't. Always in the past: -(으)ㄹ 뻔했다. Vowel or ㄹ stems take ㄹ 뻔했다, consonant stems 을 뻔했다; often with 하마터면.
Examples
하마터면 버스를 놓칠 뻔했어요.
I almost missed the bus.
빙판길에서 넘어질 뻔했어요.
I nearly slipped on the icy road.
너무 웃겨서 울 뻔했어요.
It was so funny I almost cried.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 1–2; Listening 13–16.