Have enough time with 来得及
来得及 / 来不及
How it works
来得及 means there is enough time to do something before the relevant deadline. 来不及 means there is not enough time, rather than that the person lacks the skill.
The deadline can be stated directly or understood from the situation. The same action may be possible in general but impossible to finish in the available time.
The pattern
Example sentences
现在出发还来得及。
There is still time if we leave now.
我来不及吃早饭了。
I no longer have time to eat breakfast.
Pinyin generally shows dictionary tones; tones can change in connected speech.
What to watch for
Use 来不及 for insufficient time. If the obstacle is not knowing how to do the task, choose an ability expression instead.
Try it
You must leave immediately and have no time for breakfast. Complete 我___吃早饭了。
Show answer
我来不及吃早饭了。 Wǒ lái bu jí chī zǎofàn le. I no longer have time to eat breakfast.
Syllabus reference
The topic is listed in the official 2025 syllabus. The explanation, examples and practice on this page are written for SenMandarin.
SenMandarin · Updated 2026-10-22