{{Grammar Box}}
When used to indicate locations of actions, 在 (zài) is usually placed after the subject and [[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs|before the verb]]. There are certain cases, however, when 在 (zài) goes after the verb.
== Structure ==
This pattern is used regularly with special types of verbs, including: 住 (zhù), 放 (fàng), 坐 (zuò), and 站 (zhàn). These are verbs that imply movement or location. Technically, the structure is called a [[location complement]], but it can be understood without going into that much detail. Just remember that for verbs implying ''movement'' or ''location'' like the ones above, the [[Expressing existence in a place with "zai"|default sentence order]] changes and you get this structure:
Subj. + [Special Verb] + 在 + Location
== Examples ==
* 你 住 在 上海吗？Nǐ zhù zài Shànghǎi ma? Do you live in Shanghai?
* 他 坐 在 老板 的 旁边。Tā zuò zài lǎobǎn de pángbiān.He sits next to the boss.
* 你 应该 站 在 我 后面。Nǐ yīnggāi zhàn zài wǒ hòumiàn.You should stand behind me.
* 不要 坐 在我 的 床 上。Bùyào zuò zài wǒ de chuáng shàng.Don't sit on my bed.
* 你 的 衣服 不 可以 放 在 这里。Nǐ de yīfu bù kěyǐ fàng zài zhèlǐ.You can't put your clothes here.
* 不要 站 在 路 中间。Bùyào zhàn zài lù zhōngjiān.Don't stand in the middle of the road.
* 不要 坐 在 地 上。Bùyào zuò zài dì shàng.Don't sit on the ground.
* 那 本 书 我 放 在 桌子 上 了。Nà běn shū wǒ fàng zài zhuōzi shàng le.I placed that book on the table.
* 不要 走 在 草地 上。Búyào zǒu zài cǎodì shàng.Don't walk on the grass.
* 周末 我 不 想 待 在 家 里。Zhōumò wǒ bù xiǎng dāi zài jiā lǐ.I don't want to stay at home on weekends.
Remember that this is an ''exception to the normal rule''. A common mistake is to over apply this and produce incorrect sentences. Note the incorrect and correct versions below.
- 我 工作 在 上海。Wǒ gōngzuò zài Shànghǎi.
- 我 在 上海工作。Wǒ zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò.I work in Shanghai.
- 我 学习 在 图书馆。Wǒ xuéxí zài túshūguǎn.
- 我 在 图书馆 学习。Wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.I study in the library.
== See Also ==
* [[Expressing existence in a place with "zai"]]
* [[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs]]
* [[Complements with "dao," "gei," and "zai"]]
== Sources and further reading ==
=== Books ===
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 104-105) [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]
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Used for| Expressing location}}
{{Basic Grammar|在|A2|Verb + 在 + Place|我 住 在 北京。放 在 这里。|grammar point|ASG90DXK}}
{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place with "zai"}}
{{Similar|Indicating location with "zai" before verbs}}
{{Similar|Complements with "dao," "gei" and "zai"}}
{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}}
{{POS|Verbs}}
{{Subprop|Verb phrases}}
{{Translation|at}}
{{Translation|in}}