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Learn to talk about rushed mornings, deadlines and whether a result is possible.
You are leaving for the station. Your friend wants to buy a coffee, but the train leaves in ten minutes. Can you squeeze it in? Mandarin has a handy pair of expressions for exactly this decision. Once you know them, you can also recognise similar patterns for catching a train, finishing work and understanding speech.
There Is Still Time
Use 来得及 (lái de jí) when something can still be done in time. Add an action afterwards, or leave it out when the situation is clear.
现在出发，还来得及。
Xiànzài chūfā, hái lái de jí.
If we leave now, we can still make it.
我们还来得及吃早饭。
Wǒmen hái lái de jí chī zǎofàn.
We still have time to eat breakfast.
The word 还 (hái) means “still” here. It makes the expression especially reassuring: the opportunity has not passed yet.
To check, simply ask 还来得及吗？(Hái lái de jí ma?), meaning “Is there still time?”
When Time Runs Out
Use 来不及 (lái bu jí) when time is too short.
我来不及做饭了。
Wǒ lái bu jí zuòfàn le.
I haven't got time to cook now.
快点！来不及了！
Kuài diǎn! Lái bu jí le!
Hurry! We're running out of time!
Depending on the situation, the second expression can also mean “It's too late!” It is something you might say while rushing out of the door.
For a missed opportunity in the past, 没来得及 (méi lái de jí) is particularly useful:
我早上没来得及吃早饭。
Wǒ zǎoshang méi lái de jí chī zǎofàn.
I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning.
The Same Pattern, Different Results
These expressions belong to a wider family called potential complements. The basic pattern is verb + 得 (de) + result for something achievable, or verb + 不 (bu) + result when it is not.
Learn each combination as a chunk. You cannot attach just any result to any verb.
| What matters? | Possible | Not possible |
|---|---|---|
| Catching something in time | 赶得上 (gǎn de shàng): can catch | 赶不上 (gǎn bu shàng): cannot catch |
| Finishing something | 做得完 (zuò de wán): can finish | 做不完 (zuò bu wán): cannot finish |
| Understanding speech | 听得懂 (tīng de dǒng): can understand | 听不懂 (tīng bu dǒng): cannot understand |
现在走，还赶得上火车。
Xiànzài zǒu, hái gǎn de shàng huǒchē.
If we leave now, we can still catch the train.
今天的工作太多了，我做不完。
Jīntiān de gōngzuò tài duō le, wǒ zuò bu wán.
There's too much work today. I can't finish it all.
Notice the difference: 来不及 (lái bu jí) specifically points to insufficient time. 做不完 (zuò bu wán) focuses on not being able to finish, perhaps because of time, workload or another limitation.
Pronunciation tip: 得 (de) is unstressed in these patterns. 不 (bu) is also commonly light and neutral here. Practise the whole expression smoothly rather than stressing each character equally.
Useful Chinese Words and Phrases
- 来得及have enough time; be able to make it in time
- 来不及not have enough time
- 赶得上be able to catch or reach something in time
- 做不完be unable to finish doing something
- 没来得及did not have time to do something
A Short Everyday Conversation
A: 我们还来得及买咖啡吗？
Wǒmen hái lái de jí mǎi kāfēi ma?
Do we still have time to buy coffee?
B: 来不及了，火车快开了。
Lái bu jí le, huǒchē kuài kāi le.
There's no time. The train is leaving soon.
A: 那我们现在走，还赶得上吗？
Nà wǒmen xiànzài zǒu, hái gǎn de shàng ma?
Then if we leave now, can we still catch it?
B: 赶得上。我们快走吧！
Gǎn de shàng. Wǒmen kuài zǒu ba!
Yes. Let's hurry!
One Common Mistake
Do not translate 来得及 (lái de jí) as “can come”. It is about having time, even when nobody is travelling anywhere. You can use it for replying to a message, cooking dinner or finishing a task.
Try this today: before starting something, ask yourself 还来得及吗？(Hái lái de jí ma?) Then answer with the positive or negative expression. A real deadline makes the meaning easier to remember.
The Takeaway
Start with one question: is time the problem? Choose 来得及 (lái de jí) or 来不及 (lái bu jí). As you learn similar pairs, pay attention to the result: catching, finishing or understanding. That small distinction makes your everyday Chinese much more precise.