ChineseGrammarWiki/MD/A2/69.mw

{{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:

<div class="jiegou">

Subj. + [Special Verb] + 在 + Location

</div>

== Examples ==

<div class="liju">

* 你 住 <em>在</em> <strong>上海</strong>吗？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhù <em>zài</em> <strong>Shànghǎi</strong> ma? </span><span class="trans">Do you live in Shanghai? </span>
* 他 坐 <em>在</em> <strong>老板 的 旁边</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zuò <em>zài</em>  <strong>lǎobǎn de pángbiān</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He sits next to the boss.</span>
* 你 应该 站 <em>在</em> <strong>我 后面</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yīnggāi zhàn <em>zài</em> <strong>wǒ hòumiàn</strong>.</span><span class="trans">You should stand behind me.</span>
* 不要 坐 <em>在</em><strong>我 的 床 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zuò <em>zài</em> <strong>wǒ de chuáng shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't sit on my bed.</span>
* 你 的 衣服 不 可以 放 <em>在</em><strong> 这里</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de yīfu bù kěyǐ fàng <em>zài</em> <strong>zhèlǐ</strong>.</span><span class="trans">You can't put your clothes here.</span>
* 不要 站 <em>在 </em><strong>路 中间</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zhàn <em>zài</em><strong> lù zhōngjiān</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't stand in the middle of the road.</span>
* 不要 坐 <em>在 </em><strong>地 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zuò <em>zài</em> <strong>dì shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't sit on the ground.</span>
* 那 本 书 我 放 <em>在</em><strong> 桌子 上</strong> 了。<span class="pinyin">Nà běn shū wǒ fàng <em>zài</em> <strong>zhuōzi shàng </strong> le.</span><span class="trans">I placed that book on the table.</span>
* 不要 走 <em>在 </em><strong>草地 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Búyào zǒu <em>zài</em><strong> cǎodì shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't walk on the grass.</span>
* 周末 我 不 想 待 <em>在</em> <strong>家 里</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Zhōumò wǒ bù xiǎng dāi <em>zài</em> <strong>jiā  lǐ</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I don't want to stay at home on weekends.</span>

</div>

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.

<div class="liju">

<ul>
 <li class="x">我 工作 <em>在 </em>上海。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gōngzuò <em>zài</em> Shànghǎi.</span></li>
 <li class="o">我 <em>在</em> 上海工作。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài</em>  Shànghǎi gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I work in Shanghai.</span></li>
 <li class="x">我 学习 <em>在</em> 图书馆。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xuéxí <em>zài </em>túshūguǎn.</span></li>
 <li class="o">我 <em>在</em> 图书馆 学习。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài </em>túshūguǎn xuéxí.</span><span class="trans">I study in the library.</span></li>
</ul>

</div>

== 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 <em>在</em> 北京。放 <em>在</em> 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}}