You can use 在 (zài) to express location, but this article will explain how to use 在 (zài) to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is "on the table" or "in the room."
If you're talking about a "big place," like a country or city, then all you need is 在 (zài) and the name of the place.
在 + Place
For example, these phrases are fine just as they are:
You wouldn't want to add other words to the ends of these place names.
To show where an object is in relation to another object, make a "sandwich" starting with 在 (zài), add a place, and then add one of the following words: 上 (shàng), 下 (xià), 里 (lǐ), 旁边 (pángbiān).
在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁边 / etc.
Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location and object that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly.
The little words that come after the location in the phrases above aren't really "prepositions." They are called "nouns of locality," or 方位词 (fāngwèicí) in Chinese. They actually tend to have several forms, which can be confusing if you're not used to them. The chart below shows their most common forms:
|
One-Character |
Two-Character |
English |
|---|---|---|
|
上 |
上面 / 上边 |
top, above |
|
下 |
下面 / 下边 |
bottom, under |
|
里 |
里面 / 里边 |
inside |
|
外 |
外面 / 外边 |
outside |
|
边 |
旁边 |
side, beside |
|
前 |
前面 / 前边 |
front |
|
后 |
后面 / 后边 |
back, behind |
|
左 |
左边 |
left |
|
右 |
右边 |
right |
Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases. These kinds of phrases can really make your Chinese sound polished. Later on you will learn about these idiomatic phrases with "zai".