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March 24, 2026
来得及(來得及)láidejí(lai2de5ji2)
来得及 means that there is still time to do something or that something can be completed within a given timeframe. It is commonly used in contexts where time is a factor, such as making it to an appointment or finishing a task before a deadline.
Frequency#4878DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, and the concept of time management is crucial, especially in business settings. The phrase 来得及 reflects this cultural emphasis on being timely and efficient.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clock ticking as you race against time. The character 来 (lai) looks like a person coming towards you, and 及 (ji) resembles a finish line. Together, they symbolize the urgency of arriving just in time to make it!
Meanings of 来得及
láidejí(lai2de5ji2)
1there's still time
2able to do sth in time
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 来得及
来得及Simplified
來得及Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4878Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 来得及
Podcast: 来得及
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AI Study Notes for 来得及
Quick Contrast
来得及 (láidejí) vs 来不及 (láibùjí) — use 来得及 when there is still time, while 来不及 indicates that there is not enough time.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clock ticking as you race against time. The character 来 (lai) looks like a person coming towards you, and 及 (ji) resembles a finish line. Together, they symbolize the urgency of arriving just in time to make it!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 来得及 with 来不及 (lai2 bu4 ji2), which means 'there's no time left.' This phrase is informal and commonly used in daily conversations, so it's essential to use it in the right context, especially when discussing time-sensitive matters.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 来得及 is useful for discussing daily routines and plans. Focus on practicing its use in sentences related to deadlines or time management, and learn its antonym 来不及 to enhance your understanding of time-related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, and the concept of time management is crucial, especially in business settings. The phrase 来得及 reflects this cultural emphasis on being timely and efficient.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 来得及 with 来不及, mistakenly saying '我来不及完成' when they mean there's still time. The correct usage would be '我来得及完成这个任务' (I can finish this task in time).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 来得及
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Grammar Patterns of 来得及
来得及 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
zhè gè kě lián de rén huán méi lái dé jí kāi kǒu jiù zhōng le qiāng。
Before the poor wretch had time to speak, he was shot.
2
她还没来得及按门铃，门就开了。
tā huán méi lái dé jí àn mén líng， ， mén jiù kāi。
The door was opened before she could ring the bell.
3
他还没来得及催她回答，她就挂断了电话。
tā huán méi lái dé jí cuī tā huí dá， ， tā jiù guà duàn le diàn。
She had rung off before he could press her for an answer.
4
你赶末班车还来得及.
nǐ gǎn mò bān chē huán lái dé jí.
There is still time for you to catch the last bus.
5
我在乘飞机来这儿之前，只来得及把稿子浏览了一遍。
wǒ zài chéng fēi jī lái zhè ér zhī qián， ， zhī lái dé jí bǎ gǎo zǐ liú lǎn le yī。
I only had time to skim through the script before I flew over here.
6
" 他们没来得及再撕她的衣服,我就赶到了.
" " tā mén méi lái dé jí zài sī tā de yī, fú , wǒ jiù gǎn.
" Ah got dar fo' dey done mo'n t'ar her dress. "
7
我还没来得及拦下她,劫车犯就把车开走了.
wǒ huán méi lái dé jí lán xià tā, , jié chē fàn jiù bǎ chē kāi zǒu.
The carjacker took the wheel before I could stop her.
Cultural Notes for 来得及
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, and the concept of time management is crucial, especially in business settings. The phrase 来得及 reflects this cultural emphasis on being timely and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions about 来得及
You can say, '我还有时间来得及完成这个项目' (I still have time to finish this project).
No, it can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in informal contexts.
It is typically used for situations involving time constraints, such as arriving somewhere or completing tasks.
