跟不上

• Pinyin: gēn bu shàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 跟 = 足 + 艮 (to follow on foot); 不 = negation; 上 = up/on

Meaning

Unable to keep up; to fall behind. Failing to match the pace or level of something or someone.

Used for physical pace, intellectual progress, technological change, or social trends. Implies a gap that may be temporary or structural.

Examples

1. 他跑得太快，我跟不上。 He runs too fast—I can’t keep up.
2. 课程进度太快，很多同学跟不上。 The course is moving too fast, and many students can’t keep up.
3. 传统行业跟不上数字化转型的步伐。 Traditional industries can’t keep up with the pace of digital transformation.

Usage Guide

Context: education, work, technology, sport

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 市场变化太快，很多企业跟不上。(The market is changing too fast; many companies can't keep up.)
• 她的思维跳跃太快，我经常跟不上。(Her thinking jumps around so fast I often can't follow.)

Don't Say

• 我跟不上你 for emotional detachment — use 跟不上你的步伐 to clarify it is pace, not relationship

Origin & History

跟 (follow) + 不上 (unable to reach/catch)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal