About to Meaning in English
expression
əˈbaʊt/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
uh-BOUT tuh
ɐbˈaʊt/ /tˈuː
uh-BOUT too
Definition
Used to say that something will happen very soon, often within moments.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in spoken English to show something is imminent. Usually followed by a verb ("about to leave"). Not used for distant future. Can sound dramatic or urgent. Avoid using with past events.
Spanish: a punto dePortuguese (BR): prestes aPortuguese (PT): prestes aChinese (Simplified): 正要Chinese (Traditional): 正要Hindi: ही वाला हैArabic: على وشكBengali: এখনো এখনো (ekhoni ekhono) - ঠিক এখনই (thik ekhoni) - করতে যাচ্ছি (kor-te jacchhi)Russian: собираюсь - вот-вот - почти (сделаю что-то)Japanese: 今にも - まさに～しようとしているVietnamese: sắp - chuẩn bịKorean: 막 ~하려고 하다 - 곧 ~할 것이다Turkish: üzere olmak - tam (bir şey) yapmak üzereUrdu: ابھی کرنے والا ہوں - ہونے والا ہےIndonesian: akan - hendak - sebentar lagi
Example Sentences
I am about to eat dinner.
basic
The movie is about to start.
basic
She is about to cry.
basic
We're about to leave—do you need a ride?
natural
I was about to call you when you texted me.
natural
Watch out! The glass is about to fall.
natural