来不及

• Pinyin: lái bù jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 来 = 木 (tree radical, original pictograph); 不 = negation; 及 = 人 (person) + 又 (hand catching up) — unable to catch up in time

Meaning

To not have enough time; too late to do something. Expresses that there is insufficient time to complete an action.

来不及 is used to indicate that an action cannot be done in time, either because it was started too late or because there is simply not enough time remaining. It is the opposite of 来得及. It is often used with potential complement structure and is a very common expression in everyday speech.

Examples

1. 已经八点了，我们来不及赶上那班火车了。 It's already eight o'clock — we won't make it in time for that train.
2. 作业太多，昨晚来不及全部做完。 There was too much homework; I couldn't finish it all last night.
3. 他匆匆忙忙地跑出门，来不及吃早饭。 He rushed out the door in a hurry without time to eat breakfast.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, time management, urgency

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 现在出发已经来不及了，我们改明天吧。(It's too late to set off now — let's change it to tomorrow.)
• 来不及解释了，先跟我走！(There's no time to explain — just come with me!)

Don't Say

• 我来不及喜欢这首歌 (Don't use 来不及 with emotional states — it requires a time-bound action; for 'haven't had a chance to', use 还没来得及)

Origin & History

来 (to come) + 不 (not) + 及 (to reach, to catch up with). Together the phrase means one cannot reach or manage in time — the time is insufficient to 'arrive' at completing the task.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal