Logically, 差点没 is not that different from 差点. In fact, you shouldn't think of it as a single word; think of the 没 as belonging to what follows 差点 and it makes more sense. Still, it can be a little confusing, and is worth a closer look.

Logical Structure

Note that the "Verb Phrase" part is a desired result. So this structure is literally saying, "almost didn't [Verb Phrase]."

Also note that because you're using 没, you don't use 了 after the verb phrase.

Examples

我 差点儿没 想起来。I did remember it. Wǒ chàdiǎnr méi xiǎng qǐlái.I almost forgot it.
我 差点没 赶上火车。 I almost missed it, but I didn't.Wǒ chàdiǎn méi gǎnshàng huǒchē.I didn't miss the train.
他 差点没 通过考试。He did pass it.Tā chàdiǎn méi tōngguò kǎoshì.He barely passed the examination.
排队的人太多了，差点儿没 买到。I did get it.Páiduì de rén tài duō le, chàdiǎnr méi mǎidào.The waiting line is too long. I almost didn't get it.

Logical Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

Websites