赶

• Pinyin: gǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 赶 = 走 (walk/run) + 干 (dry, phonetic), meaning to chase or hurry

Meaning

To hurry; to rush; to catch up; to chase. Moving quickly to reach a destination or deadline.

A versatile verb with several common uses: 赶时间 (in a hurry), 赶公交 (catch the bus), 赶作业 (rush to finish homework). Can also mean to drive away (赶走). Context determines the specific meaning.

Examples

1. 快点走，我们要赶不上飞机了。 Walk faster, we're going to miss the flight.
2. 他每天早上都要赶公交车去上班。 He has to catch the bus to work every morning.
3. 这份报告明天要交，我得赶一赶。 This report is due tomorrow, I need to rush to finish it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, travel, work

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 我在赶时间，不能聊了。(I'm in a hurry, I can't chat anymore.)
• 赶紧走吧，要迟到了。(Let's hurry up, we're going to be late.)

Don't Say

• 我赶了一个好心情 (Don't use 赶 with emotions — 赶 involves physical movement or time urgency, not emotional states)

Origin & History

From 走 (walk/run) and 干 (phonetic), originally meaning to chase or pursue, later extending to rushing or hurrying.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal