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March 24, 2026
来不及(來不及)láibují(lai2bu5ji2)
来不及 (lái bu jí) means that there is not enough time to accomplish something or that it is too late to take action. It is commonly used in contexts where urgency is involved, such as missing a deadline or being unable to catch a transport. The phrase conveys a sense of regret or urgency regarding time constraints.
Frequency#4683DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. The phrase 来不及 often reflects the pressure individuals feel to meet expectations and the consequences of being late.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clock with its hands racing, and you are desperately trying to do something but can't catch up. The '来' (lái) sounds like 'lie,' and you might 'lie' if you say you'll arrive on time. The '不及' (bu ji) can be remembered as 'not reaching'—you just can’t reach your goal before time runs out.
Meanings of 来不及
láibují(lai2bu5ji2)
1there's not enough time (to do sth)
2it's too late (to do sth)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 来不及
来不及Simplified
來不及Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4683Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 来不及
Podcast: 来不及
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AI Study Notes for 来不及
Quick Contrast
来不及 (lái bu jí) vs 来得及 (lái dé jí) — use 来不及 when conveying that something is too late, while 来得及 indicates that there is still time to accomplish something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clock with its hands racing, and you are desperately trying to do something but can't catch up. The '来' (lái) sounds like 'lie,' and you might 'lie' if you say you'll arrive on time. The '不及' (bu ji) can be remembered as 'not reaching'—you just can’t reach your goal before time runs out.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 来不及 with 来得及 (lái de jí), which means 'there is still time.' Remember, 来不及 indicates a lack of time. This phrase is more informal and typically used in conversational contexts rather than formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 来不及 is essential for discussing time-related issues. Students should focus on its usage in sentences and practice distinguishing it from similar phrases like 来得及 (lái de jí). Additionally, practice using it in various contexts to build fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. The phrase 来不及 often reflects the pressure individuals feel to meet expectations and the consequences of being late.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 来不及 and 来得及, leading to sentences like '我来得及迟到' (Wǒ lái de jí chídào), which incorrectly implies that they can be late on time. The correct usage would be '我来不及迟到' (Wǒ lái bù jí chídào), indicating they cannot afford to be late.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 来不及
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Grammar Patterns of 来不及
来不及 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.
There was barely time for the two boys to escape unseen.
2
那以前我从没骑过摩托车。不过，想退缩已经来不及了。
nà yǐ qián wǒ cóng méi qí guò mó tuō chē。 。 bù， guò ， xiǎng tuì suō yǐ jīng lái bù。
I had never ridden on a motor-cycle before. But it was too late to chicken out.
3
赶头班车恐怕来不及了.
gǎn tóu bān chē kǒng pà lái bù jí le.
I'm afraid it's too late to catch the first bus.
4
我们几乎来不及赶火车.
wǒ mén jī hū lái bù jí gǎn huǒ chē.
We barely had time to catch the train.
Cultural Notes for 来不及
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. The phrase 来不及 often reflects the pressure individuals feel to meet expectations and the consequences of being late.
Frequently Asked Questions about 来不及
You can say, '我来不及赶上火车' (Wǒ lái bù jí gǎn shàng huǒchē), meaning 'I don't have enough time to catch the train.'
No, 来不及 specifically refers to time constraints; it cannot be used for other contexts.
The opposite is 来得及 (lái de jí), which means 'there is still time.'
