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赶不上

趕不上
gǎnbushàng
verb HSK 6

Meanings

  1. 1 can't catch up with; can't keep up
  2. 2 to miss (a bus, train, etc.); unable to make it in time

Characters

赶
gǎn
to chase; to hurry
不
bu
not; unable to
上
shàng
up; to reach
Cannot chase and reach — can't keep up or can't make it in time.

Examples

我赶不上飞机了。
Wǒ gǎn bu shàng fēijī le.
I'm going to miss my flight.
他跑得太快，我赶不上他。
Tā pǎo de tài kuài, wǒ gǎn bu shàng tā.
He runs too fast — I can't keep up with him.
科技发展太快，有些人赶不上时代。
Kējì fāzhǎn tài kuài, yǒuxiē rén gǎn bu shàng shídài.
Technology develops too fast; some people can't keep up with the times.

Tips

usage
This is the potential complement (可能补语) negative form of 赶上. The positive potential form is 赶得上 (gǎn de shàng) — 'can catch up with.'

Stroke Order

赶 gǎn
不 bù
上 shàng