赶不上

趕不上

gǎnbushàng

verb HSK 6

Meanings

Cannot chase and reach — can't keep up or can't make it in time.

我赶不上飞机了。

Wǒ gǎnbushàng 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 gǎnbushàng 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 gǎnbushàng shídài.

Technology develops too fast; some people can't keep up with the times.

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.'

赶 gǎn

不 bù

上 shàng