What does 赶 mean in Chinese?

赶 (gǎn) means "to overtake; to catch up with; to hurry; to rush; to try to catch (the bus etc); to drive (cattle etc) forward; to drive (sb) away; to avail oneself of (an opportunity); until" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 赶?

赶 is pronounced "gǎn" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 赶?

赶 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 赶?

Common words with 赶 include 赶到 (to hurry (to some place)), 赶上 (to keep up with), 赶忙 (to hurry), 赶快 (at once), 赶紧 (hurriedly).

How do you write 赶?

You can practice writing 赶 using our stroke order tool.

赶 (gǎn), to overtake

赶

gǎn

to overtake; to catch up with; to hurry; to rush

HSK 4verb

Traditional: 趕

Character Breakdown

Radical: 走 (no. 156)Traditional: 趕

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to overtake
to catch up with
to hurry
to rush
to try to catch (the bus etc)
to drive (cattle etc) forward
to drive (sb) away
to avail oneself of (an opportunity)
until

Example Sentences

我得赶快走了。

Wǒ děi gǎnkuài zǒu le

I have to hurry and leave

Words Containing 赶

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
赶到	gǎn dào	to hurry (to some place)
赶上	gǎn shàng	to keep up with	HSK 4
赶忙	gǎn máng	to hurry	HSK 6
赶快	gǎn kuài	at once	HSK 4

Related Words

逮(dǎi)· (coll.) to catch

→

赶上(gǎn shàng)· to keep up with

→

赶不上(gǎn bù shàng)· can't keep up with

→

追赶(zhuī gǎn)· to pursue

→

Grammar Notes

I'm Afraid (恐怕)HSK 4

Subject + 恐怕 + Predicate

For the Purpose Of (为了)HSK 4

为了 + Purpose/Goal, Subject + Action OR Subject + 为了 + Purpose + Action

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

赶: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 赶 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.