Where does casi go in a sentence?

"Casi" is placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies. It goes before verbs ("casi gano"), before adjectives ("casi perfecto"), or before quantity words ("casi todos").

What is the difference between casi and por poco?

Both mean almost, but "por poco" carries a stronger sense of a narrow escape or close call. "Casi" is neutral and works in all contexts, while "por poco" is more dramatic and often used with past events.

How do you say almost never in Spanish?

"Almost never" is "casi nunca." Similarly, "almost always" is "casi siempre" and "almost nothing" is "casi nada." These are fixed pairings used constantly in daily speech.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Almost in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Casi · adverb · KAH-see

"Almost" in Spanish is "casi." This adverb indicates that something is very close to happening or being true but falls just short.

Pronounced KAH-see, with the stress on the first syllable. Both vowels are short and crisp.

Casi llegamos tarde al aeropuerto.

We almost arrived late to the airport.

Almost in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for almost, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
casi	almost	KAH-see	Default, widely understood
por poco	almost		emphasizes a near-miss event

How Native Speakers Use Casi

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Quantity

Casi todos los estudiantes aprobaron el examen.

Almost all the students passed the exam.

"Casi todos" is a very common collocation meaning almost everyone.

Frequency

Casi nunca como comida rápida.

I hardly ever eat fast food.

"Casi nunca" turns "never" into "hardly ever."

Near miss

Por poco me caigo en las escaleras.

I almost fell on the stairs.

"Por poco" emphasizes a close call and can replace "casi" in dramatic contexts.

Approximation

Tengo casi treinta años.

I am almost thirty years old.

Used for approximate ages, quantities, and measurements.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Casi

Wrong word order

Incorrect: Llegamos casi.

Correct: Casi llegamos.

"Casi" is placed before the element it modifies. In Spanish, it typically comes before the verb or adjective, not after it.

Confusing casi with cuasi

Incorrect: Fue un cuasi accidente.

Correct: Fue casi un accidente. / Fue un cuasiaccidente.

"Cuasi" is a prefix used in formal or technical compounds (cuasiaccidente). In everyday speech, use "casi" as a standalone adverb before the noun phrase.

Lock in Almost Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Casi used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using casi in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Casi llegamos tarde al aeropuerto. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

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Common Questions About Almost in Spanish

Where does casi go in a sentence?: "Casi" is placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies. It goes before verbs ("casi gano"), before adjectives ("casi perfecto"), or before quantity words ("casi todos").
What is the difference between casi and por poco?: Both mean almost, but "por poco" carries a stronger sense of a narrow escape or close call. "Casi" is neutral and works in all contexts, while "por poco" is more dramatic and often used with past events.
How do you say almost never in Spanish?: "Almost never" is "casi nunca." Similarly, "almost always" is "casi siempre" and "almost nothing" is "casi nada." These are fixed pairings used constantly in daily speech.