再不走就来不及了。 I was puzzled by this use of 再. But, looking into it, I found that 再不… is a combination which means : "unless we/you …" or "if we/you don't …" So, the above phrase should mean : "If we don't leave, we'll be late" or "Unless we leave, we'll be late"
Great observation! You're absolutely right about the meaning and structure of 再不… in this context. It’s a very handy way to express urgency or warn about negative consequences if something isn’t done quickly. In 再不走就来不及了, 再 highlights the pressing nature of the situation, and 不走 emphasizes the action that hasn’t happened yet. Together, the phrase creates a strong sense of "act now or face the consequences." Your translations, "If we don’t leave, we’ll be late" and "Unless we leave, we’ll be late," are both spot-on. In cases like this, the focus is on conveying the meaning naturally rather than translating each word literally. Other Examples 再不开会，项目就完不成了。 If we don’t hold the meeting now, the project won’t be completed. 再不努力，你会后悔的。 Unless you work harder, you’ll regret it. 再不发邮件，客户就生气了。 If we don’t send the email soon, the client will be upset. This pattern is indeed very practical, especially in time-sensitive or urgent situations!
再不走就来不及了。
I was puzzled by this use of 再.
But, looking into it, I found that 再不… is a combination which means :
"unless we/you …" or "if we/you don't …"
So, the above phrase should mean :
"If we don't leave, we'll be late"
or
"Unless we leave, we'll be late"
Great observation! You're absolutely right about the meaning and structure of 再不… in this context. It’s a very handy way to express urgency or warn about negative consequences if something isn’t done quickly.
In 再不走就来不及了, 再 highlights the pressing nature of the situation, and 不走 emphasizes the action that hasn’t happened yet. Together, the phrase creates a strong sense of "act now or face the consequences."
Your translations, "If we don’t leave, we’ll be late" and "Unless we leave, we’ll be late," are both spot-on. In cases like this, the focus is on conveying the meaning naturally rather than translating each word literally.
Other Examples
再不开会，项目就完不成了。
If we don’t hold the meeting now, the project won’t be completed.
再不努力，你会后悔的。
Unless you work harder, you’ll regret it.
再不发邮件，客户就生气了。
If we don’t send the email soon, the client will be upset.
This pattern is indeed very practical, especially in time-sensitive or urgent situations!