赶

gǎn: 赶 - To Rush, To Hurry, To Catch up

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: gǎn, 赶, Chinese for rush, Chinese for hurry, catch a train in Chinese, 赶时间, 赶火车, 赶飞机, gǎn shímáo, gǎn meaning, gǎn vs zhui, how to use 赶
  • Summary: Discover the dynamic Chinese verb 赶 (gǎn), an essential word that captures the feeling of rushing to meet a deadline, hurrying to catch a flight, or even driving away pests. This page breaks down its core meanings, from the pressure of “catching up” in a fast-paced society to the simple action of shooing something away. Learn its cultural significance, see practical examples for everyday conversation, and understand the key differences between `赶`, `追 (zhuī)`, and `快 (kuài)` to use it like a native speaker.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): gǎn
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: To rush, to hurry; to catch (a vehicle, a deadline); to drive away.
  • In a Nutshell: `赶` is an action word filled with a sense of urgency and purpose. It's the feeling of being pressed for time and needing to move quickly to meet an external constraint. Whether you're rushing to finish homework, trying to make the last subway, or shooing a cat off the counter, `赶` is the verb that describes that purposeful, time-sensitive action. It's less about the speed itself and more about the *reason* for the speed: to not be left behind.

Character Breakdown

  • The character `赶` is a phono-semantic compound.
  • Radical (走 - zǒu): The left side is the “walk” or “run” radical, which provides the meaning. It clearly indicates movement, speed, and travel.
  • Phonetic Component (干 - gān): The right side provides the sound. `干` (gān) sounds similar to `赶` (gǎn) and lends its pronunciation to the character.
  • Combined Meaning: The character powerfully combines the concept of “running” or “moving” (`走`) with the sound `gān` to create the verb `赶` (gǎn), meaning “to rush” or “to hurry” towards a goal.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • `赶` is a verb that perfectly encapsulates the rhythm of modern Chinese life, especially in major cities. The phrase `赶时间` (gǎn shíjiān - to be in a hurry) is a daily mantra for millions of students and professionals. This reflects a societal value placed on efficiency, punctuality, and seizing opportunities in a rapidly developing environment.
  • In Western culture, “hurrying” can sometimes have a negative connotation, suggesting carelessness or a lack of planning. In China, however, `赶` is often seen as neutral or even positive—it signifies diligence, ambition, and a commitment to keeping pace. It's the opposite of being lazy or falling behind. The pressure is often external (a train schedule, a project deadline) rather than internal (personal impatience). To `赶` is to actively engage with the demands of the world around you.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `赶` is an incredibly common and versatile verb. Its meaning shifts slightly based on the object that follows it.
  • 1. To Catch Transportation: This is one of its most frequent uses. It means you are hurrying to be on time for a scheduled departure.
    • `赶火车` (gǎn huǒchē) - to catch a train
    • `赶飞机` (gǎn fēijī) - to catch a plane
    • `赶地铁` (gǎn dìtiě) - to catch the subway
  • 2. To Rush to a Place or Event:
    • `我得赶去开会。` (Wǒ děi gǎn qù kāihuì.) - I have to rush to a meeting.
    • `他正在往医院赶。` (Tā zhèngzài wǎng yīyuàn gǎn.) - He's rushing to the hospital right now.
  • 3. To Rush to Complete a Task (often against a deadline):
    • `赶作业` (gǎn zuòyè) - to rush to finish homework
    • `赶工` (gǎngōng) - to rush to finish a piece of work
    • `赶报告` (gǎn bàogào) - to rush to finish a report
  • 4. To Drive Away or Shoo:
    • `把猫赶出去！` (Bǎ māo gǎn chūqù!) - Shoo the cat out!
    • `他被老板赶走了。` (Tā bèi lǎobǎn gǎn zǒu le.) - He was fired (driven away) by the boss.
  • 5. To Coincide With or Happen Upon:
    • `我们赶上末班车了。` (Wǒmen gǎn shàng mòbānchē le.) - We made it onto the last bus.
    • `你算是赶上好时候了。` (Nǐ suànshì gǎn shàng hǎo shíhou le.) - You've come at a really good time.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 快点！我们得赶下午三点的火车！
    • Pinyin: Kuài diǎn! Wǒmen děi gǎn xiàwǔ sān diǎn de huǒchē!
    • English: Hurry up! We have to catch the 3 PM train!
    • Analysis: A classic example of `赶` used for transportation. The urgency is clear.
  • Example 2:
    • 为了赶上项目的截止日期，我们整个团队都在加班。
    • Pinyin: Wèile gǎn shàng xiàngmù de jiézhǐ rìqī, wǒmen zhěnggè tuánduì dōu zài jiābān.
    • English: In order to meet the project deadline, our whole team is working overtime.
    • Analysis: Here, `赶上` means “to meet” or “catch up to” a deadline. It highlights the pressure of time.
  • Example 3:
    • 妈妈把厨房里的苍蝇都赶走了。
    • Pinyin: Māma bǎ chúfáng lǐ de cāngying dōu gǎn zǒu le.
    • English: Mom drove all the flies out of the kitchen.
    • Analysis: This shows the “drive away” meaning. The structure is often `把 + [Object] + 赶走`.
  • Example 4:
    • 很多年轻人喜欢赶时髦，总是买最新款的手机。
    • Pinyin: Hěnduō niánqīng rén xǐhuān gǎn shímáo, zǒngshì mǎi zuìxīn kuǎn de shǒujī.
    • English: A lot of young people like to follow fashion trends, always buying the newest model of phone.
    • Analysis: This is a fixed phrase, `赶时髦` (gǎn shímáo), which literally means “to chase fashion.” It implies actively trying to keep up with what's popular.
  • Example 5:
    • 对不起，我迟到了，我从机场一路赶过来的。
    • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le, wǒ cóng jīchǎng yílù gǎn guòlái de.
    • English: Sorry I'm late, I rushed all the way over from the airport.
    • Analysis: This shows `赶` used to describe the action of rushing from one place to another.
  • Example 6:
    • 你现在出发还赶得上下午的会议。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ xiànzài chūfā hái gǎn de shàng xiàwǔ de huìyì.
    • English: If you leave now, you can still make it to the afternoon meeting.
    • Analysis: This uses the potential complement `赶得上` (gǎn de shàng), meaning “able to catch” or “able to make it in time.”
  • Example 7:
    • 如果我们再不走，就赶不上了。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒmen zài bù zǒu, jiù gǎn bu shàng le.
    • English: If we don't leave now, we won't make it.
    • Analysis: This is the negative potential complement `赶不上` (gǎn bu shàng), the opposite of the previous example. It means “unable to catch” or “will miss it.”
  • Example 8:
    • 别赶我，让我想一想。
    • Pinyin: Bié gǎn wǒ, ràng wǒ xiǎng yi xiǎng.
    • English: Don't rush me, let me think.
    • Analysis: Here `赶` is used metaphorically to mean “to rush someone” or “to pressure someone.”
  • Example 9:
    • 农民们正在赶着牛群回村。
    • Pinyin: Nóngmínmen zhèngzài gǎnzhe niúqún huí cūn.
    • English: The farmers are herding the cattle back to the village.
    • Analysis: This shows the “herding” or “driving” meaning applied to animals.
  • Example 10:
    • 这家商店的折扣活动正好被我赶上了。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn de zhékòu huódòng zhènghǎo bèi wǒ gǎn shàng le.
    • English: I happened to catch this store's sales event.
    • Analysis: `赶上` can also mean to encounter something by chance or to arrive at just the right time for an event.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `赶` (gǎn) vs. `快` (kuài): This is a common point of confusion.
    • `快` (kuài) is an adjective (“fast”) or adverb (“quickly”). It describes the quality of an action. Example: `他跑得很快。` (Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.) - He runs very fast.
    • `赶` (gǎn) is a verb (“to rush”). It describes the purpose of an action—to meet a deadline or goal. You do an action `快` in order to `赶`.
    • Correct: `我们得快点走，才能赶上火车。` (We have to walk quickly in order to catch the train.)
    • Incorrect: `我们得赶走，才能快上火车。` (This is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense.)
  • `赶` (gǎn) vs. `追` (zhuī): Both can mean “to chase,” but the context is different.
    • `追` (zhuī) means to chase a moving target, often with the intention of catching it physically. You `追` a bus that is already pulling away from the stop. You `追` a thief.
    • `赶` (gǎn) means to hurry towards a destination to meet a scheduled event. You `赶` a bus by rushing to the bus stop before it leaves. `赶` is about meeting a point in time; `追` is about closing a physical distance with a moving object.
    • Example: You `赶火车` (rush to the station for the train). If you arrive and see it pulling away, you might then `追火车` (run after the moving train), though this is usually futile!

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 赶紧 (gǎnjǐn) - An adverb meaning “hastily” or “without delay.” It emphasizes the need to do something right away. It's the feeling you have when you need to `赶`.
  • 赶快 (gǎnkuài) - An adverb very similar to `赶紧`, meaning “quickly” or “at once.” Often interchangeable.
  • 追 (zhuī) - To chase a moving object or person. A related but distinct concept.
  • 着急 (zhāojí) - An adjective meaning “worried” or “anxious,” often because you are running late and need to `赶`.
  • 赶不上 (gǎn bu shàng) - The potential form, meaning “can't catch” or “unable to make it in time.”
  • 赶得上 (gǎn de shàng) - The potential form, meaning “can catch” or “able to make it in time.”
  • 时髦 (shímáo) - Fashion; trend. Used in the common phrase `赶时髦` (to follow trends).
  • 来不及 (láibují) - A very common expression meaning “there's not enough time” or “it's too late.” This is the state you're in when you `赶不上`.
  • 来得及 (láidejí) - The opposite of `来不及`, meaning “there is still enough time.” If it's `来得及`, you can `赶得上`.