赶在…之前
to hurry to get something done before (a deadline or event)
Structure
赶在 时间／事件 之前（或 前） ＋ 要完成的事
What it means
Someone races to get something done before a deadline or an event. 赶 adds pressure and effort to a plain 'before'.
How it is built
赶在 + time/event + 之前 (or 前) + task, often with 把…V好／V完: 我们得赶在下雨之前把窗户装好 (we have to get the windows in before it rains).
When to use it
Plain 在…之前 only states the order in time; 赶在…之前 says people are hurrying to beat the deadline: 赶在月底前把报告交上去.
Watch out
赶 goes before the time phrase, not the verb: ✗ 在国庆节之前赶投入运营 ✓ 赶在国庆节之前投入运营. The task must be something people do: ✗ 天气赶在周末之前变冷了.
Examples
机场要赶在2019年国庆节之前投入运营。
The airport had to open before National Day 2019.
我们得赶在下雨之前把窗户装好。
We have to get the windows in before it rains.
她赶在银行下班前把钱存了进去。
She got the money paid in just before the bank closed.
Learn this in Lesson 187 · HSK 7–9: 大兴机场 (Building Daxing Airport)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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