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Idiomatic phrases with "zai"
============================
[](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/ASGH13JY)
-
Level
[B1](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/B1_grammar_points)
-
Similar to
- \[...\_shang\_/\_xia\_/\_li%22
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"\] (A2)
- [Expressing various aspects with "yi
fangmian"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_various_aspects_with_%22yi_fangmian%22) (B1)
- [Expressing "on the basis of" with
"ping"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22on_the_basis_of%22_with_%22ping%22) (B2)
- \[...\_nei%22
Expressing "within" a period of time using "zai... nei"\] (B2)
-
Used with 上
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This construction can be translated as "on the topic of" or "in regards
to." It can be used to comment on an idea or concept. The examples below
will help.
### Structure
\
Used for
[Expressing
location](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_location),
[Indicating
conditions](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Indicating_conditions)
-
Keywords
[在](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%9C%A8),
[上](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E4%B8%8A),
[下](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E4%B8%8B),
[方面](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E6%96%B9%E9%9D%A2)
-
Translations
[in](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/In),
[at](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/At),
[on](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/On)
[{width="300"
height="300"}](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/File:%E5%9C%A8_(z%C3%A0i).jpeg)
You probably already know how to
\[...\_shang\_/\_xia\_/\_li%22
express location with 在\]. In this article, we'll go more in depth as
to how you can make idiomatic phrases using that construction. This kind
of form is actually similar to some that we have in English, so it won't
be too difficult.
Contents
--------
[hide]([# "wikilink")\]
- [1 Used with
上](#Used_with_.E4.B8.8A "wikilink")
- [1.1
Structure](#Structure "wikilink")
- [1.2
Examples](#Examples "wikilink")
- [2 Used with
下](#Used_with_.E4.B8.8B "wikilink")
- [2.1
Structure](#Structure_2 "wikilink")
- [2.2
Examples](#Examples_2 "wikilink")
- [3 Used with
方面](#Used_with_.E6.96.B9.E9.9D.A2 "wikilink")
- [3.1
Structure](#Structure_3 "wikilink")
- [3.2
Examples](#Examples_3 "wikilink")
- [4 See
also](#See_also "wikilink")
- [5 Sources and
further reading](#Sources_and_further_reading "wikilink")
- [5.1
Books](#Books "wikilink")
在 + Topic + 上 ，Subj. ⋯⋯
Note that the subject can also be put before 在.
### Examples
- *在* 这 个 问题 **上** ，我们 的 看法 是 一样 的
。*Zài* zhè gè wèntí **shàng**, wǒmen de kànfǎ
shì yīyàng de.In regards to this problem,
our opinions are the same.
- *在* 美国 历史 **上** ，谁 是 最 重要 的 总统
？*Zài* Měiguó lìshǐ **shàng**, shéi shì zuì
zhòngyào de zǒngtǒng ?In regards to
American history, who is the most important president?
- 这个 句子 *在* 语法 **上** 没 什么 问题 ，但是 不 太 自然
。Zhège jùzi *zài* yǔfǎ **shàng** méi shénme
wèntí, dànshì bù tài zìrán.This sentence
is okay to say in terms of grammar, it's just not very
natural.
- 南方人 和 北方人 *在* 生活 习惯 **上** 有 很多 差异
。Nánfāng rén hé běifāng rén *zài* shēnghuó
xíguàn **shàng** yǒu hěn duō chāyì.There
are many differences between northern and southern people when it
comes to living habits.
Used with 下
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and
expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.
### Structure
在 ⋯⋯ 下 ，⋯⋯
### Examples
- *在* 这样 的 环境 **下** 长大 ，孩子 会 快乐 吗
？*Zài* zhèyàng de huánjìng **xià** zhǎngdà,
háizi huì kuàilè ma?Do you think kids
will be happy growing up in this kind of environment?
- *在* 这 种 情况 **下** ，你们 会 怎么 做
？*Zài* zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng **xià**, nǐmen huì
zěnme zuò?In this situation, what would
you do?
- *在* 紧急 情况 **下** ，你 可以 这样 做 。*Zài*
jǐnjí qíngkuàng **xià**, nǐ kěyǐ zhèyàng
zuò.In emergencies, you can do
this.
- *在* 那么 困难 的 条件 **下** ，她 还是 坚持 让 孩子们 都 上学
。*Zài* nàme kùnnan de tiáojiàn **xià**, tā
háishì jiānchí ràng háizi men dōu
shàngxué. Even under difficult financial
constraints, she still insisted that the children should all go to
school.
Used with 方面
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This construction is similar to the 在⋯⋯上 above, which translates to
"in relation to" or "on the topic of."
### Structure
在 + Topic + 方面 ，Subj. ⋯⋯
### Examples
- *在* 事业 **方面** ，我 老板 很 成功 。*Zài*
shìyè **fāngmiàn**, wǒ lǎobǎn hěn
chénggōng.On the topic of career, my boss
is very successful.
- *在* 技术 **方面** ，他 是 专家 。*Zài* jìshù
**fāngmiàn**, tā shì zhuānjiā.When it
comes to technology, he's an expert.
- *在* 管理 **方面** ，你 比 我 有经验 。*Zài*
guǎnlǐ **fāngmiàn**, nǐ bǐ wǒ yǒu
jīngyàn.When it comes to management, you
have more experience than I do.
- 中 西方 文化 *在* 很多 **方面** 都 有 共同点
。Zhōng xīfāng wénhuà *zài* hěn duō
**fāngmiàn** dōu yǒu gòngtóngdiǎn.In
certain aspects, Chinese and Western culture have a lot in
common.
See also
-------------------------------------------------------
- [Using "zai" with
verbs](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Using_%22zai%22_with_verbs)
- ["Zai" following
verbs](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%22Zai%22_following_verbs)
- [Expressing existence in a
place](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_existence_in_a_place)
Sources and further reading
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
### Books
- [Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part
1](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_1) (pp.
191) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2fdV2l3)
- [Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part
2](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_2) (pp.
264, 325) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2ftpILV)
- [New Practical Chinese Reader
4 (新实用汉语课本4)](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_4_(%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%9E%E7%94%A8%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%BE%E6%9C%AC4)) (pp.
40-1, 164-5, 185)
[→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192)
- [卓越汉语－公司实战篇](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%EF%BC%8D%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87) (pp.
42, 145) \[ →buy\]
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