In 15 Seconds
- Used for catching transportation or arriving on time for events.
- Place the event or vehicle directly after the phrase.
- Change to '赶不上' to say you won't make it in time.
Meaning
This phrase is your best friend when you are running late. It means you managed to arrive just in time for an event or to catch a ride.
Key Examples
3 of 6Catching the last bus
太好了，我赶上了最后一班车！
Great, I caught the last bus!
Arriving at a meeting
虽然堵车，但我还是赶上了会议。
Although there was traffic, I still made it to the meeting.
Texting a friend about a movie
快点，不然赶不上电影开头了。
Hurry up, or we won't make it for the start of the movie.
Cultural Background
The '996' work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week) makes {赶时间|gǎn shíjiān} (hurrying for time) a lifestyle. {赶上|gǎnshàng} is the successful end to that daily struggle. During 'Chunyun,' {赶上|gǎnshàng} is almost a sacred goal. Missing a train is a minor tragedy involving millions of people. Older Chinese people often say they {赶上|gǎnshàng} a good era, referring to the post-1978 period of growth. The pressure to {赶上|gǎnshàng} classmates is intense due to the 'Gaokao' (university entrance exam) culture.
The 'Luck' Factor
Use {正好赶上|zhènghǎo gǎnshàng} to sound more like a native when describing lucky coincidences.
Negation
Remember that {没赶上|méi gǎnshàng} is for the past, and {赶不上|gǎnbushàng} is for the present/future possibility.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for catching transportation or arriving on time for events.
- Place the event or vehicle directly after the phrase.
- Change to '赶不上' to say you won't make it in time.
What It Means
赶上 (gǎn shàng) is all about timing. It describes that breathless moment when you reach the bus stop just as the doors open. It means you successfully 'caught' a specific window of time. It is the opposite of 'missing out.'
How To Use It
You usually put the thing you are trying to catch right after the phrase. For example, 赶上车 (catch the bus) or 赶上会议 (make it to the meeting). If you want to say you *couldn't* make it, you stick a 不 in the middle: 赶不上. It is very flexible and works for physical things and abstract deadlines.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about transportation. It is perfect for trains, planes, and buses. Use it when you are late for a movie or a dinner date. You can also use it when you are lucky enough to experience a sale or a special event. 'I just caught the end of the festival' is a classic 赶上 moment.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for 'catching' a cold; that is a different word. Do not use it for 'catching' a ball thrown at you. It is also not for 'catching up' with a friend to chat about life. For that, you would use 叙旧 or just 见面. This phrase is strictly about the clock and being at a place on time.
Cultural Background
In China's fast-paced cities, everyone is always 赶 (hurrying). The phrase reflects a culture that values being on time for collective events. Missing a train in China used to be a huge deal before high-speed rail became so frequent. Now, 赶上 feels like a small daily victory against the chaos of traffic.
Common Variations
You will often hear 没赶上 (méi gǎn shàng). This is the sad version. It means you missed it. Another one is 赶得及 (gǎn de jí). This means 'there is still enough time to make it.' Use 赶上 when the action is finished and you actually made it.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is neutral in formality, making it safe for almost any situation involving a clock.
The 'Luck' Factor
Use {正好赶上|zhènghǎo gǎnshàng} to sound more like a native when describing lucky coincidences.
Negation
Remember that {没赶上|méi gǎnshàng} is for the past, and {赶不上|gǎnbushàng} is for the present/future possibility.
Era Talk
When talking to older people, use {赶上好时代|gǎnshàng hǎo shídài} to show respect for their life journey.
Examples
6太好了，我赶上了最后一班车！
Great, I caught the last bus!
A very common use for transportation.
虽然堵车，但我还是赶上了会议。
Although there was traffic, I still made it to the meeting.
Shows success despite an obstacle.
快点，不然赶不上电影开头了。
Hurry up, or we won't make it for the start of the movie.
Using the negative form for a warning.
我赶上了机场的早餐，但没赶上飞机。
I made it in time for the airport breakfast, but I didn't catch the plane.
Contrast between making one thing and missing another.
幸好赶上了你的婚礼！
Luckily I made it in time for your wedding!
Expresses relief and care.
运气真好，赶上了打折最后一天。
So lucky, I caught the last day of the sale.
Used for opportunities, not just transport.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
{我|wǒ}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{很|hěn}{快|kuài}，{终于|zhōngyú}_____{了|le}{校车|xiàochē}。
Since the person was running to reach the school bus, {赶上|gǎnshàng} is the correct resultative verb.
Fill in the blank with the potential form (can/cannot).
{堵车|dǔchē}{太|tài}{严重|yánzhòng}{了|le}，{我|wǒ}{恐怕|kǒngpà}_____{会议|huìyì}{了|le}。
Serious traffic usually means you 'cannot' make it in time.
Match the sentence to the situation.
"{正好|zhènghǎo}{赶上|gǎnshàng}{大|dà}{减价|jiǎnjià}。"
{减价|jiǎnjià} means price reduction or sale.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises{我|wǒ}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{很|hěn}{快|kuài}，{终于|zhōngyú}_____{了|le}{校车|xiàochē}。
Since the person was running to reach the school bus, {赶上|gǎnshàng} is the correct resultative verb.
{堵车|dǔchē}{太|tài}{严重|yánzhòng}{了|le}，{我|wǒ}{恐怕|kǒngpà}_____{会议|huìyì}{了|le}。
Serious traffic usually means you 'cannot' make it in time.
"{正好|zhènghǎo}{赶上|gǎnshàng}{大|dà}{减价|jiǎnjià}。"
{减价|jiǎnjià} means price reduction or sale.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, for a ball use {接住|jiēzhù}. {赶上|gǎnshàng} is for things with a schedule or a lead.
{追上|zhuīshàng} implies you were behind and actively chased. {赶上|gǎnshàng} is more about the timing of arrival.
It's neutral. It works in both a business report and a text to your mom.
Use {我赶不上老师的进度|wǒ gǎnbushàng lǎoshī de jìndù}.
Related Phrases
来得及
similarTo have enough time to do something.
追上
synonymTo catch up with someone by chasing.
遇到
similarTo encounter or meet.
及格
builds onTo pass a test (reach the standard).
赶集
specialized formTo go to a traditional market fair.
