Expressing existence in a place with "zai"

The verb 在 (zài) expresses existence in a location, similar to how we say in English, "to be at" or "to be in."

Structure

The verb 在 (zài) is used to express existence in a place. English does not have a verb exclusively for this purpose, and instead uses "to be" with a preposition. In Chinese, 在 (zài) can cover both of these roles.

Remember that you don't need another verb in this construction. It can be tempting to try use 是 shì), as English uses "to be," but this is not correct. 在 (zài) is the only verb needed.

Examples

我在上海。
Wǒ zài Shànghǎi.
I'm in Shanghai.
他们在英国。
Tāmen zài Yīngguó.
They're in England.
老板在外面。
Lǎobǎn zài wàimian.
The boss is outside.
他不在学校。
Tā bù zài xuéxiào.
He's not at school.
她现在在家吗？
Tā xiànzài zài jiā ma？
Is she at home now?
你在公司吗？ Literally: "Are you at the company?"
Nǐ zài gōngsī ma?
Are you at the office?
老师不在办公室吗？
Lǎoshī bù zài bàngōngshì ma?
Is the teacher not in the office?
谁在楼上？
Shéi zài lóushàng?
Who is upstairs?
我和朋友在酒吧。
Wǒ hé péngyou zài jiǔbā.
I'm with a friend at a bar.
你们明天在北京吗？
Nǐ míngtiān zài Běijīng ma?
Are you in Beijing tomorrow?

Expressing existence in a place with "zài" "在>"

Contents

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books