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A2 verb #2,500 가장 일반적인 9분 분량

来不及

lai bu ji
At the A1 level, you can think of '来不及' as a single phrase meaning 'too late' or 'no time.' It is most useful for simple situations like missing a bus or being late for class. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar of potential complements yet. Just remember the phrase '来不及了' (lái bu jí le) to tell someone to hurry up. It is a very practical 'survival' phrase for students and travelers in China who are often on a tight schedule. Focus on using it with simple verbs like '吃' (eat), '去' (go), or '看' (watch). For example, '来不及吃早饭' (no time to eat breakfast) is a perfect A1 sentence.
At the A2 level, you should start to understand that '来不及' is the opposite of '来得及.' You can use it to explain why you didn't do something in the past or why you can't do something now. You should be able to form short sentences like '我来不及做作业' (I don't have time to do homework). At this level, you should also notice that '来不及' is usually followed by a verb. You are beginning to see how it fits into the broader context of 'time' words in Chinese, and you can use it to express a sense of urgency in daily conversations.
By B1, you should be comfortable using '来不及' in more complex sentence structures, such as using it within a 'because... so...' (因为...所以...) construction. You should also understand the nuance between '来不及' and '没时间.' At this level, you can use adverbs like '根本' (at all) or '实在' (really) to add emphasis: '我根本来不及准备会议' (I simply had no time to prepare for the meeting). You can also use it to describe quick physical actions, like not having time to react to something happening suddenly.
At the B2 level, you can use '来不及' to discuss more abstract concepts, such as missed opportunities in life or business. You might use it in a conditional sentence: '如果我们现在不行动，恐怕就来不及了' (If we don't act now, I'm afraid it will be too late). You should also be aware of its use in written Chinese and formal speeches. You can distinguish between the colloquial '来不及' and more formal synonyms like '无暇.' Your usage should reflect an understanding of the emotional weight the phrase can carry, such as regret or deep concern.
At the C1 level, you should be able to use '来不及' fluently in sophisticated debates or literary analysis. You can use it to describe complex societal trends where the pace of change is so fast that people '来不及' adapt. You should also be familiar with related idioms like '悔之不及' (too late for regrets) and how they relate to the core meaning of '来不及.' You can use the phrase to create dramatic effect in storytelling, using it to highlight the 'turning point' of a narrative where a character realizes they have lost their chance forever.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '来不及.' You can use it with subtle irony or within complex philosophical discussions about the nature of time and human limitation. You understand its role in historical contexts (e.g., 'the reforms came too late to save the dynasty') and can use it in high-level professional environments, such as during crisis management or strategic planning. You can play with the rhythm of the sentence to emphasize the '不及' (the failure to reach), and you are fully aware of all its regional variations and stylistic nuances.
연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

来不及 30초 만에

  • Used to express that time has run out for a specific action.
  • The negative form of '来得及' (láidejí).
  • Often used with '了' to show a change in situation.
  • Common in daily life, travel, and high-pressure work environments.

The term 来不及 (lái bu jí) is a fundamental potential complement in Mandarin Chinese that translates most directly to "there is not enough time" or "it is too late to [do something]." Structurally, it is the negative form of 来得及 (lái de jí). At its core, it expresses the inability to complete an action or reach a destination within a required timeframe. This isn't just about being late; it's about the temporal window of opportunity closing before the action can be realized.

Literal Breakdown
来 (lái - to come) + 不 (bù - not) + 及 (jí - to reach/attain). Together, it literally means "not coming to reach," implying that the subject cannot "catch up" with the deadline or the necessary moment.
Grammatical Function
It functions as an intransitive verb phrase or a potential complement. It can stand alone as a predicate or be followed by a verb/clause to specify what there is no time for.

"快点儿，不然就来不及了！"

— (Hurry up, or it will be too late!)

Understanding 来不及 requires recognizing its nuance compared to simply saying "I don't have time" (我没时间). While 没时间 is a general statement of unavailability, 来不及 specifically highlights the imminence of a deadline or the missed chance. It carries a sense of urgency, pressure, or regret. For instance, if you are at the airport and the gate is closing, you use 来不及. If you are too busy to go to the gym next week, you use 没时间.

"我来不及吃早饭就去上班了。"

— (I didn't have time to eat breakfast before going to work.)

In social contexts, 来不及 can also serve as a polite but firm excuse. It implies that external circumstances (time) are the limiting factor, rather than a lack of desire. This makes it a useful tool for declining last-minute invitations or explaining why a task wasn't completed to perfection. It is versatile, appearing in both casual street slang and formal business reports where deadlines are discussed.

Semantic Range
From missing a bus to missing a life opportunity, the scale of '来不及' adapts to the gravity of the situation.

"现在后悔已经来不及了。"

— (It is too late to regret now.)

Using 来不及 correctly involves mastering three primary sentence patterns. Because it is a potential complement, its placement is relatively fixed, but its relationship with the subsequent verb is crucial for clarity. Let's break down the mechanics of integrating this phrase into your daily Chinese.

Pattern 1: 来不及 + Verb/Action
This is the most common structure. It indicates that there isn't enough time to perform a specific action. Example: 来不及准备 (No time to prepare).
Pattern 2: Subject + 来不及了
Used when the situation itself is 'too late.' The '了' indicates a change of state. Example: 火车要开了，来不及了！ (The train is leaving, it's too late!)
Pattern 3: 根本/实在 + 来不及
Adverbs like 根本 (gēnběn - simply/at all) or 实在 (shízài - really) are often used to emphasize the impossibility of the timeframe.

"任务太多，我根本来不及做完。"

— (There are too many tasks; I simply don't have time to finish them.)

One nuance often missed by learners is the subjectivity of time. 来不及 is often used to describe a sequence of events where one event happens so fast that the second cannot occur. For example, if someone falls and you want to catch them but they hit the ground first, you would say 我来不及拉住他 (I didn't have time to grab him). Here, the 'time' is only a fraction of a second.

"要是再不走，恐怕就来不及赶上末班车了。"

— (If we don't leave now, I'm afraid we won't make the last bus.)

In more advanced usage, 来不及 can be followed by a full clause. This is common in storytelling or explaining complex failures. For example: 我还没说话，他就来不及等我解释就挂了电话 (Before I could speak, he hung up without giving me time to explain). This shows the versatility of the phrase in describing rapid-fire social interactions.

Comparison with 赶不上 (gǎnbushàng)
While '来不及' means 'no time to,' '赶不上' specifically means 'cannot catch up with' (like a bus or a trend). They are often interchangeable when referring to transport, but '来不及' is broader.

"别担心，现在去还来得及。"

— (Don't worry, there is still time if we go now.)

You will encounter 来不及 in almost every corner of Chinese life, from the high-stress environments of Tier-1 cities like Shanghai to the emotional dialogues of C-Dramas. It is a word that captures the frantic pace of modern China. Understanding the context helps in choosing the right tone when using it yourself.

1. Transportation Hubs
Airports, train stations, and subway platforms are the most common places to hear this. You'll hear travelers shouting to their companions or staff explaining why a gate is closed.
2. The Workplace
In the '996' work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week), '来不及' is a constant refrain regarding deadlines, meeting preparations, and project launches.
3. Kitchens and Restaurants
Waiters might say it if a dish cannot be prepared before you need to leave, or a chef might use it when an ingredient isn't ready.

"电影已经开始了，现在进去也来不及看开头了。"

— (The movie has started; it's too late to see the beginning even if we go in now.)

In media, 来不及 is a powerful dramatic device. It is often used in romantic tragedies (e.g., "I didn't have time to tell him I loved him") or action movies (e.g., "The bomb is about to explode, there's no time!"). This emotional weight makes it more than just a logistical term; it's a word of missed connections and irreversible moments.

"对不起，我刚才来不及接你的电话。"

— (Sorry, I didn't have time to pick up your call just now.)

On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu or Weibo, you'll see it in the context of "limited time offers" or "fast-moving trends." For example, "If you don't buy this now, it will be 来不及 (too late)!" It is used to create a sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) among consumers.

4. Daily Commute
People running for the bus often mutter this to themselves as the doors close. It's the internal monologue of the urban dweller.

"雨下得太大，我来不及打伞就全身湿透了。"

— (The rain was so heavy; I was soaked before I had time to open my umbrella.)

Even though 来不及 is an A2-level word, its specific grammatical constraints lead to frequent errors among intermediate and even advanced learners. The most common issues involve word order, confusion with similar concepts, and the misuse of aspect particles like '了'.

Mistake 1: Using '不' in the wrong place
Learners often try to say '不来及' or '没来及'. In potential complements, the negation '不' must be in the middle. '没来得及' is acceptable in the past tense, but '不来及' is always wrong.
Mistake 2: Confusing with '没时间' (méi shíjiān)
As mentioned, '没时间' is about availability. '来不及' is about the deadline. You can't say '我来不及看电影' if you mean you are busy all day; you say it if the movie is starting in 2 minutes and you are 10 minutes away.

"Incorrect: 我不来及吃。 Correct: 我来不及吃。"

Another frequent error is the overuse of '了'. While '来不及了' is a common phrase, adding '了' after the verb that follows '来不及' is usually incorrect. For example, '来不及做了' is awkward; '来不及做' is the standard way to say 'no time to do it.' The '了' should only be used to indicate that the entire situation has reached the point of being too late.

"Incorrect: 已经太来不及了。 Correct: 已经来不及了。"

Because 来不及 is already a potential complement expressing 'cannot,' you should not add other potential complements to it. For instance, '来不及赶不上' is redundant. Simply say '来不及赶' or '赶不上'. Understanding this logic helps keep your Chinese concise and natural.

Mistake 3: Tense Confusion
In English, we say "I didn't have time." In Chinese, '来不及' can refer to the past, present, or future without changing form. Learners often try to add '过' or other markers unnecessarily.

"昨天我来不及跟你打招呼。"

— (Yesterday I didn't have time to say hello to you.)

To truly master 来不及, you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of time and capability. Chinese has several ways to express "too late" or "not enough time," each with a specific flavor.

1. 赶不上 (gǎnbushàng)
This specifically refers to 'missing' something that is moving or scheduled, like a bus, a flight, or a trend. While '来不及' is about the time available, '赶不上' is about the result of being too slow.
2. 没时间 (méi shíjiān)
The most general term. It simply means 'no time.' It lacks the inherent urgency of '来不及'. Use this for general schedule conflicts.
3. 迟了 / 晚了 (chí le / wǎn le)
These mean 'late.' They describe the state after the deadline has passed. '来不及' can be used before the deadline to say 'we won't make it,' whereas '迟了' usually means the opportunity is already gone.

"我赶不上那趟火车了。" vs "我来不及坐那趟火车了。"

— (The first emphasizes missing the train; the second emphasizes not having time to get to the station.)

There are also more formal or literary alternatives. For instance, 遑论 (huánglùn) or 无暇 (wúxiá). 无暇 is a very elegant way to say "to have no time for," often used in written business or academic contexts (e.g., 无暇顾及 - to have no time to attend to something).

"工作太忙，他无暇照顾家庭。"

— (Being too busy with work, he has no time to take care of his family.)

Another interesting comparison is with 迫不及待 (pò bù jí dài). While it contains the '不及' element, it is an idiom meaning "impatient" or "cannot wait to." It describes an emotional state of excitement rather than a literal lack of time. Don't confuse the two!

4. 没工夫 (méi gōngfu)
A more colloquial, Northern Chinese way of saying 'no time' or 'no energy' for something. It's very common in Beijing dialect.

"我现在没工夫跟你闲聊。"

— (I don't have time to chat with you right now.)

How Formal Is It?

격식체

""

난이도

알아야 할 문법

수준별 예문

1

来不及了，快走！

Too late, let's go!

来不及 + 了 (le) indicates a change of state.

2

我来不及吃早饭。

I don't have time to eat breakfast.

来不及 + Verb (eat).

3

车来了，来不及买水了。

The bus is here, no time to buy water.

Simple situational use.

4

来不及看电影了。

No time to watch the movie.

来不及 + Verb phrase.

5

老师，我来不及写完。

Teacher, I didn't have time to finish writing.

Expressing inability to finish a task.

6

现在去，还来得及吗？

If I go now, is there still time?

The question form using the positive '来得及'.

7

来不及解释了，上车！

No time to explain, get in the car!

Common idiomatic expression.

8

我来不及穿外套。

I didn't have time to put on my coat.

Subject + 来不及 + Verb.

1

因为起床晚了，我来不及洗澡。

Because I woke up late, I didn't have time to shower.

Using 'because' to provide context.

2

如果你不快点，就来不及参加比赛了。

If you don't hurry, you won't make it to the competition.

Conditional 'if' (如果...就...).

3

作业太多，我实在来不及做。

There's too much homework, I really don't have time to do it.

Adding '实在' (really) for emphasis.

4

他走得太快，我来不及叫他。

He walked too fast, I didn't have time to call him.

Describing a quick sequence of events.

5

对不起，我来不及回复你的短信。

Sorry, I didn't have time to reply to your text.

Common social apology.

6

我们来不及买票就上车了。

We got on the train without having time to buy tickets.

Describing an action done in a rush.

7

现在后悔也来不及了。

It's too late to regret now.

Abstract use of time.

8

快！再不走就来不及赶飞机了。

Quick! If we don't leave now, we'll miss the flight.

Using '赶' (to catch) with '来不及'.

1

由于堵车，他来不及参加开幕式。

Due to a traffic jam, he couldn't make it to the opening ceremony.

Formal cause '由于'.

2

我刚才太忙了，根本来不及看手机。

I was so busy just now, I simply had no time to check my phone.

Using '根本' for total negation.

3

变化太快，很多人都来不及适应。

Change is too fast; many people don't have time to adapt.

Abstract societal context.

4

他还没来得及说话，对方就挂了电话。

Before he could even speak, the other person hung up.

Using '还没来得及' (haven't had time yet).

5

医生说，如果再晚五分钟就来不及救他了。

The doctor said if it were five minutes later, it would be too late to save him.

Critical life-or-death context.

6

这份报告明天就要交，我恐怕来不及写完。

This report is due tomorrow; I'm afraid I won't have time to finish it.

Using '恐怕' (I'm afraid) to express doubt.

7

他突然倒下，大家都来不及反应。

He suddenly collapsed, and no one had time to react.

Describing immediate physical reaction time.

8

既然已经来不及了，我们就慢慢走吧。

Since it's already too late, let's just walk slowly.

Using '既然' (since/given that).

1

如果不及时采取措施，环境污染就来不及治理了。

If measures aren't taken in time, environmental pollution will be beyond repair.

Formal environmental context.

2

他一生都在奋斗，却来不及享受生活。

He struggled all his life but never had time to enjoy it.

Philosophical reflection on life.

3

市场竞争如此激烈，稍有犹豫就会来不及转型。

Market competition is so fierce that a moment's hesitation makes it too late to pivot.

Business strategy context.

4

我还没来得及向他道谢，他就消失在人群中了。

Before I had the chance to thank him, he disappeared into the crowd.

Narrative 'missed connection'.

5

面对突如其来的灾难，人类往往来不及准备。

In the face of sudden disasters, humans often lack the time to prepare.

Generalizing human experience.

6

这篇文章写得很仓促，我甚至来不及检查错别字。

This article was written in a hurry; I didn't even have time to check for typos.

Using '甚至' (even) for emphasis.

7

等他意识到错误时，一切都已经来不及挽回了。

By the time he realized his mistake, it was already too late to save the situation.

Abstract 'irreversibility'.

8

在这个信息爆炸的时代，我们来不及思考就得做决定。

In this era of information explosion, we have to make decisions before we have time to think.

Modern sociological observation.

1

历史的洪流滚滚向前，落后的观念往往来不及更新便被淘汰。

The torrent of history rolls forward, and outdated ideas are often eliminated before they can be updated.

Highly formal, metaphorical usage.

2

他在信中表达了未能见父亲最后一面的遗憾，那是永远也来不及弥补的痛。

In the letter, he expressed regret for not seeing his father one last time, a pain that can never be made up for.

Emotional depth and complex modifiers.

3

若不未雨绸缪，等危机爆发再想对策，恐怕就来不及了。

If we don't plan ahead, it will be too late to think of solutions once the crisis erupts.

Using the idiom '未雨绸缪' (plan for a rainy day).

4

技术迭代之快，让许多传统行业根本来不及做出反应。

The speed of technological iteration leaves many traditional industries simply unable to react in time.

Economic/Technological discourse.

5

他还没来得及品味成功的喜悦，新的挑战便接踵而至。

Before he could even savor the joy of success, new challenges followed one after another.

Literary structure '还没来得及...便...'.

6

这种病毒传播极快，医疗系统几乎来不及应对。

This virus spreads extremely fast, and the medical system can hardly cope in time.

Scientific/Public health context.

7

有些话如果现在不说，可能这辈子都来不及说了。

If some things aren't said now, there might never be another chance in this lifetime.

Conditional with existential weight.

8

面对全球气候变暖，如果我们再不采取果断行动，恐怕真的要来不及了。

Facing global warming, if we don't take decisive action now, I'm afraid it will truly be too late.

Urgent global advocacy.

1

当权者若沉溺于虚假的繁荣，往往会来不及察觉潜伏在深处的危机。

If those in power indulge in false prosperity, they often fail to perceive the crises lurking in the depths in time.

Political philosophy.

2

在量子力学的微观世界里，时间的尺度让宏观的‘来不及’失去了意义。

In the microscopic world of quantum mechanics, the scale of time renders the macroscopic 'too late' meaningless.

Scientific/Philosophical paradox.

3

文学作品中那种‘来不及’的宿命感，往往最能触动读者的心弦。

The sense of 'too late' fatalism in literary works often touches the readers' heartstrings most deeply.

Literary criticism.

4

随着人工智能的崛起，人类伦理法律的制定似乎总显得有些来不及。

With the rise of AI, the formulation of human ethical laws always seems to be lagging behind.

High-level social commentary.

5

他的一生仿佛都在与时间赛跑，却在终点线前发现自己终究还是来不及。

His whole life seemed like a race against time, only to find at the finish line that he was too late after all.

Existential narrative.

6

这种艺术风格的消亡如此之快，以至于学者们来不及对其进行系统的记录。

The disappearance of this artistic style was so rapid that scholars did not have time to systematically record it.

Academic research context.

7

在瞬息万变的金融市场，毫秒级的延迟就意味着来不及执行交易。

In the volatile financial markets, a millisecond delay means failing to execute a trade in time.

Technical/Financial precision.

8

这种情感的爆发是如此突然，理智根本来不及介入。

The outburst of emotion was so sudden that reason simply had no time to intervene.

Psychological analysis.

자주 쓰는 조합

来不及解释
来不及吃
来不及看
来不及说
来不及做
根本来不及
已经来不及
恐怕来不及
差点来不及
实在来不及

자주 쓰는 구문

已经来不及了

再不走就来不及了

根本来不及准备

总是来不及

差点儿来不及

자주 혼동되는 단어

来不及 vs 没时间

General lack of time vs. missing a specific deadline.

来不及 vs 赶不上

Failing to catch something vs. not having time to do something.

来不及 vs 迟到

The act of being late vs. the potential of being late.

관용어 및 표현

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혼동하기 쉬운

来不及 vs

来不及 vs

来不及 vs

来不及 vs

来不及 vs

문장 패턴

어휘 가족

관련

사용법

past tense

Can refer to the past without adding '了' or '过' to the verb.

stand alone

Can be used as a complete sentence: '来不及了！'

자주 하는 실수
  • Saying '不来及' instead of '来不及'.
  • Using '没' instead of '不' (though '没来得及' is a separate past-tense form).
  • Using it to mean 'I am busy' (use '我很忙' instead).
  • Adding '了' after the verb following '来不及'.
  • Using it for physical capacity.

팁

Middle Negation

Always keep 'bu' in the middle. It's a fixed structure.

Urgency

Say it quickly to convey real stress.

Antonym

Learn '来得及' at the same time to double your utility.

Context Clues

If you hear 'le' at the end, the chance is likely already gone.

Storytelling

Use it to create a 'turning point' in your narratives.

Punctuality

Using this word often requires a follow-up apology in China.

HSK Tip

This is a common word in HSK 3 and 4 listening sections.

Emphasis

Use '根本' (gēnběn) to say you 'simply' don't have time.

Tone Sandhi

The 'bu' is neutral, so don't stress it.

Catch Up

Think of 'jí' as 'reaching' the finish line.

암기하기

어원

The character 及 (jí) originally depicted a person following another and reaching out to grab them. Combined with '来' (to come) and the negative '不', it signifies the failure to 'come and reach' the required point in time.

문화적 맥락

In formal Chinese culture, being '来不及' is seen as a lack of planning, so it is often accompanied by an apology.

Used frequently in marketing to create 'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out).

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실제 사용 상황

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"你有没有过因为来不及而错过重要事情的经历？"

"如果上班快来不及了，你会怎么办？"

"你觉得现在的社会节奏是不是快得让人来不及思考？"

"你曾经来不及对某人说声‘谢谢’吗？"

"在你的国家，如果约会来不及了，你会怎么解释？"

일기 주제

写一次你差点来不及赶上火车的经历。

描述一个你因为来不及准备而感到紧张的时刻。

如果时间可以倒流，你想弥补哪些‘来不及’做的事？

讨论一下现代科技是如何让我们觉得时间越来越‘来不及’的。

写一段关于‘来不及告别的夏天’的短文。

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, the negation '不' must always be in the middle: '来不及'.

'来不及' implies a deadline or a specific window of time is closing. '没时间' is a general statement of being busy.

Yes, e.g., '昨天我来不及吃饭' (Yesterday I didn't have time to eat).

It is neutral, but can sound blunt. Adding '对不起' makes it polite.

Use '还来得及吗？' (Hái láidejí ma?)

It's better to say '非常来不及' or '根本来不及'.

No, it can stand alone as '来不及了'.

No, it is only for time. For space, use '放不下' or '坐不下'.

It means 'haven't had time to... yet'.

It is used in both casual and formal speech, but '无暇' is more formal in writing.

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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