来不及

lái bu jí

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Verb Common

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Definitions

1. there's not enough time (to do sth)
2. it's too late (to do sth)

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 来得及 lái de jí 来得及 lái de jí to have enough time; can do it in time; can still make it time sufficiency: to have enough time; can do it in time; can still make it

Synonyms

1 item

• 赶不上 gǎn bù shàng 赶不上 gǎn bù shàng can't keep up with unable to make it in time: can't keep up with

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used with a verb phrase to indicate the action cannot be done in time: 来不及 + Verb Phrase.

Common mistakes

Do not use 来不及 with a specific time complement; it already implies lateness.

Grammar

Guides that feature 来不及

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 7 min

Advanced Potential Complements

Practice 做得到, 来不及, 受不了, and other potential-complement chunks.

Reading: lái bu jí Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

快点儿，我们 来不及 了！

Hurry up, we won't make it in time!

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 来不及

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 来 来 lái: to come
• 及 及 jí: and
• 不及 不及 bù jí: to fall short of