跟上

• Pinyin: gēn shàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 跟 = 足 + 艮 (follow); 上 = resultative complement (successfully reach)

Meaning

To keep up with; to catch up to. Successfully matching the pace, progress, or level of something.

The positive counterpart of 跟不上. Used for physical following, intellectual progress, and adapting to change. Often used to encourage or commend effort.

Examples

1. 他努力学习，终于跟上了班级的进度。 He studied hard and finally caught up with the class pace.
2. 企业必须跟上时代的发展。 Companies must keep up with the times.
3. 请大家快点，跟上队伍。 Everyone, please hurry up and keep up with the group.

Usage Guide

Context: education, work, sport, technology

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 只要坚持，你一定能跟上。(As long as you persevere, you'll definitely be able to keep up.)
• 新员工很快就跟上了团队的节奏。(The new employee quickly fell in step with the team's rhythm.)

Don't Say

• 跟上潮流 with a negative connotation — use 随波逐流 instead when criticising mindless trend-following

Origin & History

跟 (follow) + 上 (up/onto — resultative complement indicating success)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal