{{Grammar Box}} 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 [[Prepositions|preposition]]. In Chinese, 在 (zài) can cover both of these roles.
Subj. + 在 + Place
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 wàimiàn.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?
==See also== *[[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs]] *[[Special cases of "zai" following verbs]] *[[Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"]] == Sources and further reading == === Books === * [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 85-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy] * [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 154) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy] *[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）]] (p. 73)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy] [[Category:A1 grammar points]] {{Basic Grammar|在|A1|在 + Place|老师 在 上海 。|grammar point|ASGLRWT8}} {{Used for|Expressing existence}} {{Used for|Expressing location}} {{Used for|Indicating conditions}} {{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}} {{Similar|Indicating location with "zai" before verbs}} {{Similar|Special cases of "zai" following verbs}} {{POS|Verbs}} {{Subprop|Verbs}} {{Translation|in}} {{Translation|at}}