追不上 (zhuī bu shàng)

verb HSK 4

zhuī bu shàng

cannot catch up with · unable to keep pace with · cannot reach

Meaning

This is a compound directional complement construction meaning 'unable to catch up.' It combines 追 (to chase/pursue) with the potential complement 不上 (cannot reach/get onto), expressing the inability to match someone's speed or progress.

Usage

Commonly used in both literal contexts (physical chasing) and figurative ones (keeping up with trends, studies, or someone's pace). The negative potential form 不 is sandwiched between the verb and the directional complement. Can describe both temporary inability and general incapacity.

Examples

01
他跑得太快了，我追不上。
Tā pǎo de tài kuài le, wǒ zhuī bu shàng.
He runs too fast; I can't catch up.
02
如果现在不努力学习，你会追不上其他同学的。
Rúguǒ xiànzài bù nǔlì xuéxí, nǐ huì zhuī bu shàng qítā tóngxué de.
If you don't study hard now, you won't be able to keep up with your other classmates.

Characters

Common collocations

追不上进度
zhuī bu shàng jìn dù
cannot keep up with the schedule/progress
追不上时代
zhuī bu shàng shí dài
cannot keep up with the times
怎么也追不上
zěn me yě zhuī bu shàng
cannot catch up no matter what

Antonyms

Origin

Formed by inserting the negative potential marker 不 between the action verb 追 and the directional complement 上, following standard Mandarin grammar for expressing inability to complete an action.