赶 (gǎn) - to catch up with & to overtake

赶Tone 3

gǎn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

赶 · gǎn

to catch up with;

to overtake;

to rush;

to hurry;

to drive away;

to expel

to catch up withto overtaketo rush

Usage highlights

to hurryto catch upto rush to do somethingto drive awayto expelto rush work

Synonyms

  • 追— to chase, to pursue
  • 赶超— to catch up and surpass
  • 驱逐— to expel, to drive out

Antonyms

  • 落后— to fall behind, to lag
  • 拖延— to delay, to procrastinate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He hurried to catch the bus (赶公交车).
  • We need to catch up with the leading team (赶上前面的队伍).
  • She is rushing to finish her homework (赶作业).
  • They drove away the wild animals (赶走野兽).

Collocations

  • to hurry(赶路)
  • to catch up(赶上)
  • to rush to do something(赶着做)
  • to drive away(赶走)
  • to expel(赶出)
  • to rush work(赶工)

Idioms

  • Chasing ducks onto a perch — forcing someone to do something beyond their ability(赶鸭子上架)
  • Chasing the heat and avoiding the cold(赶热避寒)
  • Rushing to be first(赶前不赶后)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 赶 combines 走 (walk/run) and 干 (do/work), suggesting the action of moving quickly to accomplish something.
  • In traditional rural society, '赶集' (going to market) was an important weekly activity where people rushed to buy and sell goods.
  • The concept reflects the Chinese cultural value of diligence and making the most of opportunities.

FAQ