1. The following table consists of all the position words. Position words are often bi-syllabic in spoken language. They are often formed by a joining position word with 边 biān side , 面 miàn face or 间 jiān between . Either of the suffixes 边 biān side or 面 miàn face can be used as a suffix in a position word. The suffix 间 jiān between can only be preceded by 中 zhōng centre .
Position words |
Suffixes |
English |
前 qián |
边 / 面 biān/miàn |
in front |
后 hòu |
边 / 面 |
behind |
左 zuǒ |
边 / 面 |
left side |
右 yòu |
边 / 面 |
right side |
上 shàng |
边 / 面 |
upper side |
下 xià |
边 / 面 |
underside |
里 lĭ |
边 / 面 |
inside |
外 wàn |
边 / 面 |
outside |
东 dōng |
边 / 面 |
east side |
南 nán |
边 / 面 |
south side |
西 xī |
边 / 面 |
west side |
北 běi |
边 / 面 |
north side |
中 zhōng |
间 jiān |
middle |
2. The word order for expressing the position of an object in Chinese is different from what it is in English. As explained in the 的 de section, the primary information is placed after 的 de and the descriptions of the information are placed before 的 de . If one wants to say, “on the left of the dormitory”, in Chinese it would be 宿舍的左边 sùshè de zuǒbiān dormitory’s left . The primary information is left which is placed after 的 de . To illustrate this speech pattern an English – Chinese comparison table is given below.
English |
Chinese word order |
Chinese |
Top of the bookshelf |
Bookshelf’s upperside |
书架 ( 的 ) 上边 shūjià shàngbiān |
Underneath the table |
Table’s underside |
桌子 ( 的 ) 下边 zhuōzi xiàbiān |
Inside the house |
House’s inside |
房子 ( 的 ) 里边 fángzi lĭbiān |
On the east side of the library |
Library’s east |
图书馆 ( 的 ) 东边 túshūguăn dōngbiān |
3. There are three common ways to express the position of an object in a sentence by using the verbs 在 zài to be in/on/at, 是 shì to be and 有 yǒu there is/are. In the following patterns, “A” and “B” represent objects or items and the PW stands for position words.
English sentence |
Chinese sentence |
A is PW of B The canteen is in front of the dormitory. |
A is B ’s PW 食堂 在 宿 舍 的 前 边 shítáng zài sùshè de qiānbiān |
PW of B is A In front of the dormitory is the canteen. |
B ’s PW is A 宿 舍 的 前 边 是 食堂 sùshè de qiānbiān shì shítáng |
There is A PW of B There is a canteen in front of the dormitory . |
B ’s PW is A 宿 舍 的 前 边 有 一个 食 堂 sùshè de qiānbiān yǒu yíge shítáng |
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Translate the following sentences into Chinese (22, position words)
There is a Chinese restaurant next to the library.
The dormitory is behind the bookshop.
The chair is in front of the desk.
My college is left to the Chinese department.
The garden is behind of the house.
The students are inside the classroom.
There is dictionary beside you.