When you hear someone say 赶时间 (gǎn shí jiān), it means they are rushing for time or are in a hurry. You can use it to explain why you need to do something quickly.
For example, if you need to leave somewhere fast, you can say, "我赶时间" (wǒ gǎn shí jiān), which means "I'm in a hurry."
It's a very practical phrase to know because everyone finds themselves rushing at some point!
§ What 赶时间 Means
Alright, let's talk about 赶时间 (gǎn shíjiān). This phrase is super common in daily Chinese conversations. It literally means 'to rush time' but what it really boils down to is 'to be in a hurry' or 'to rush for time'. Think about those moments when you're late for an appointment, or you have a deadline looming, and you just don't have a second to spare – that's when you're 赶时间.
- Definition
- Rush for time; be in a hurry.
You'll hear Chinese speakers use this phrase all the time. It's not just for big, dramatic rushes. It can be for anything from being late for work to trying to catch a bus. It's a versatile phrase that captures that feeling of time pressure.
§ When People Use 赶时间
So, when do people actually pull out 赶时间 in conversation? Here are some common scenarios:
- When you're running late: This is probably the most frequent use. If you're apologetically rushing out the door, or explaining why you can't chat, 赶时间 is your go-to phrase.
- When you have a tight schedule: If your day is packed with appointments and you're moving from one thing to the next without much buffer, you are 赶时间.
- When a task needs to be completed quickly: If you've got a deadline and you need to speed things up, you might say you are 赶时间 to finish it.
- When someone is urging you to hurry: Sometimes, a friend or colleague might tell you to 赶时间 if you're dawdling.
Let's look at some examples to really nail it down. Pay attention to how the context makes the meaning clear.
我得走了，我赶时间。
Translation hint: I have to go, I'm rushing for time.
对不起，我不能跟你多聊了，我在赶时间去开会。
Translation hint: Sorry, I can't chat much longer, I'm rushing to a meeting.
他每天早上都赶时间上班。
Translation hint: He rushes to work every morning.
我们得快点，飞机快要起飞了，我们真的在赶时间！
Translation hint: We need to hurry, the plane is about to take off, we are really rushing for time!
Notice how in all these examples, there's a clear implication of not having enough time, or needing to accelerate. It's a very practical phrase for describing a common daily experience.
How Formal Is It?
"时间紧迫，我们必须加快速度。(Shíjiān jǐnpò, wǒmen bìxū jiākuài sùdù.) - Time is pressing, we must speed up."
"我赶时间，得走了。(Wǒ gǎn shí jiān, dé zǒu le.) - I'm in a hurry, I need to go."
"我得赶紧，要迟到了。(Wǒ dé gǎnjǐn, yào chí dào le.) - I need to hurry, I'm going to be late."
"我们快点，不然就赶不上车了。(Wǒmen kuài diǎn, bùrán jiù gǎnbushàng chē le.) - Let's hurry, or we'll miss the bus."
"我得赶趟，不然就来不及了。(Wǒ dé gǎntàng, bùrán jiù láibují le.) - I need to rush, otherwise it'll be too late."
Tips
Basic Meaning
赶时间 means to be rushing for time or in a hurry. It's a very common phrase.
Word Structure
The first character, 赶 (gǎn), means to rush or catch up. The second part, 时间 (shíjiān), means time. So, literally, it's 'rush time'.
Sentence Placement
You can use 赶时间 at the beginning or end of a sentence, or even in the middle. It often acts as a verb phrase.
Common Use Case 1
Use it to explain why you need to leave quickly. For example: '我赶时间，得走了。' (Wǒ gǎn shíjiān, děi zǒu le.) - I'm rushing for time, I need to go.
Common Use Case 2
Use it to express that you are hurrying to do something specific. For example: '我赶时间去机场。' (Wǒ gǎn shíjiān qù jīchǎng.) - I'm rushing for time to go to the airport.
Asking Others
You can also ask someone if they are in a hurry: '你赶时间吗？' (Nǐ gǎn shíjiān ma?) - Are you in a hurry?
Negative Form
To say you are not in a hurry, use '不' (bù): '我不赶时间。' (Wǒ bù gǎn shíjiān.) - I'm not in a hurry.
Adding Urgency
Sometimes, people add '很' (hěn) before it for emphasis, meaning 'very': '我很赶时间。' (Wǒ hěn gǎn shíjiān.) - I'm very rushed for time.
Practice with Scenarios
Imagine you're late for a meeting. How would you tell your friend you need to go? '对不起，我赶时间。' (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ gǎn shíjiān.) - Sorry, I'm in a hurry.
Listen for It
Pay attention to how native speakers use 赶时间 in daily conversations, movies, or shows. It's extremely common.
Test Yourself 18 questions
我早上常常___。
The sentence means 'I often ___ in the morning.' '赶时间' (gǎn shíjiān) means 'rush for time' or 'be in a hurry,' which fits the context.
她今天很忙，有点___。
The sentence means 'She is very busy today, a little ___.' '赶时间' (gǎn shíjiān) implies being in a hurry due to busyness.
我们___去机场吧。
The sentence means 'Let's ___ go to the airport.' '赶时间' (gǎn shíjiān) suggests that they need to hurry to the airport.
对不起，我___，不能和你聊天。
The sentence means 'Sorry, I am ___, can't chat with you.' '赶时间' (gǎn shíjiān) provides a reason for not being able to chat, indicating a rush.
老师说，我们不要___。
The sentence means 'The teacher said, we should not ___.' In this context, it implies not to rush or be in a hurry.
他每天早上都___上班。
The sentence means 'He ___ to work every morning.' '赶时间' (gǎn shíjiān) means he is usually in a hurry to get to work.
This sentence structure shows a causal relationship: 'because... therefore...'. '赶时间' acts as the reason.
The phrase '不然就...' indicates a consequence if the first action is not taken. Here, '赶不上' means 'miss'.
This sentence uses '又不是' to express that something is not the case, often with a slight tone of exasperation. '催' means 'to urge/rush'.
The speaker is asking if rushing means missing out on scenery.
The speaker has an urgent meeting and can't join lunch.
Even if in a hurry, safety is paramount, no speeding.
Read this aloud:
为了赶时间，我常常选择步行而不是乘坐公共交通。
Focus: 赶时间 (gǎn shí jiān)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他看起来总是在赶时间，走路都带风。
Focus: 走路都带风 (zǒu lù dōu dài fēng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
别再赶时间了，慢慢来，把事情做好更重要。
Focus: 慢慢来 (màn màn lái)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning
赶时间 means to be rushing for time or in a hurry. It's a very common phrase.
Word Structure
The first character, 赶 (gǎn), means to rush or catch up. The second part, 时间 (shíjiān), means time. So, literally, it's 'rush time'.
Sentence Placement
You can use 赶时间 at the beginning or end of a sentence, or even in the middle. It often acts as a verb phrase.
Common Use Case 1
Use it to explain why you need to leave quickly. For example: '我赶时间，得走了。' (Wǒ gǎn shíjiān, děi zǒu le.) - I'm rushing for time, I need to go.
