Difference between revisions of "Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li""
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[[Using "zai" with verbs]] | [[Using "zai" with verbs]] | ||
[["Zai" following verbs]] | [["Zai" following verbs]] | ||
+ | [[Expressing existence in a place]] | ||
==Sources and Further Reading== | ==Sources and Further Reading== |
Revision as of 01:59, 7 June 2013
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You can use 在 (zài) to express location, but this article will explain how to use 在 to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is "on the table" or "in the room".
Contents
Structure
To show where an object is in relation to another object, you can use 在 and a direction complement.
在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc
Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly.
Examples
Needs examples
Abstract Uses
Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases.
在 + 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.
在 + Abstract Concepts + 上 + Comment
Examples
Needs examples
在 + 下
This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.
在 + Abstract Concept + 下 + Result/Comment
Examples
Needs examples
在 + 方面
This construction is very similar to the "在...上" above. It translates to "in relation to" or "on the topic of".
在 + Abstract Concept + 方面 + Comment
Examples
Needs examples
See Also
Using "zai" with verbs "Zai" following verbs Expressing existence in a place
Sources and Further Reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 128) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 →buy