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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."
在 (zài) with "Big Locations"
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.
Structure
Examples
For example, these phrases are fine just as they are:
- 在 中国 zài Zhōngguóin China
- 在 美国 zài Měiguóin the USA
- 在 上海 zài Shànghǎiin Shanghai
- 在 纽约 zài Niǔyuēin New York
在 (zài) with Specific Locations
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).
Structure
Examples
- 我 在 火车 上。Wǒ zài huǒchē shàng.I am on the train.
- 他 在 楼下。Tā zài lóuxià.He is downstairs.
- Walmart 在 我家 旁边。Walmart zài wǒ jiā pángbiān.Walmart is next to my house.
- 你 的 手机 在 包 里吗？Nǐ de shǒujī zài bāo lǐ ma? Is your cell phone in the bag?
- 在 地铁 上 有 很 多 人。Zài dìtiě shàng yǒu hěn duō rén.On the metro there are a lot of people.
Common Nouns of Locality
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shàng | 上面 / 上边shàngmiàn / shàngbian | top, above |
| 下xià | 下面 / 下边xiàmiàn / xiàbian | bottom, under |
| 里lǐ | 里面 / 里边lǐmiàn / lǐbian | inside |
| 外wài | 外面 / 外边wàimiàn / wàibian | outside |
| 边biān | 旁边pángbiān | side, beside |
| 前qián | 前面 / 前边qiánmiàn / qiánbian | front |
| 后hòu | 后面 / 后边hòumiàn / hòubian | back, behind |
| 左zuǒ | 左边zuǒbian | left |
| 右yòu | 右边yòubian | right |
Abstract Uses
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".
See Also
- Indicating location with "zai" before verbs
- Special cases of "zai" following verbs
- Expressing existence in a place with "zai"
Sources and Further Reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 128) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 191) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 264, 325)→buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 40-1, 164-5, 185) →buy
Category:A2 grammar points Category:Table