Difference between revisions of "Expressing existence in a place with "zai""

(syntatic change)
Line 20: Line 20:
  
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 上海。<span class="trans">I'm in Shanghai.</span>
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 上海。<span class="trans">I'm in Shanghai.</span>
* 他们 <em>在</em> 英国。<span class="trans">We're in England.</span>
+
* 他们 <em>在</em> 英国。<span class="trans">They're in England.</span>
 
* 他 <em>在</em> 超市。<span class="trans">He's at the supermarket.</span>
 
* 他 <em>在</em> 超市。<span class="trans">He's at the supermarket.</span>
 
* 她 <em>在</em> 邮局。<span class="trans">She's at the post office.</span>
 
* 她 <em>在</em> 邮局。<span class="trans">She's at the post office.</span>
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 学校。<span class="trans">I'm at school.</span>
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 学校。<span class="trans">I'm at school.</span>
 
* 你 <em>在</em> 公司 吗?<span class="expl">(Literally: "Are you at the company?")</span><span class="trans">Are you at the office?</span>
 
* 你 <em>在</em> 公司 吗?<span class="expl">(Literally: "Are you at the company?")</span><span class="trans">Are you at the office?</span>
* 你 <em>在</em> 家吗?<span class="trans">Are you at home?</span>
+
* 你 <em>在</em> 家 吗?<span class="trans">Are you at home?</span>
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 洗手间。<span class="trans">I'm in the bathroom.</span>
 
* 我 <em>在</em> 洗手间。<span class="trans">I'm in the bathroom.</span>
 
* 我 和 朋友 <em>在</em> 酒吧。<span class="trans">I'm with a friend at a bar.</span>
 
* 我 和 朋友 <em>在</em> 酒吧。<span class="trans">I'm with a friend at a bar.</span>

Revision as of 08:22, 14 March 2014

The verb 在 (zài) expresses existence in a place, similar to how we say in English, "to be located in".

Structure

The verb 在 is used to express existence in a place. English does not have a verb that covers this, and instead uses "to be" with a preposition. In Chinese, 在 covers both of these.

Subject + 在 + Place

Remember that you don't need another verb in this construction. It can be tempting to try use 是, as English uses "to be", but this is not correct. 在 is the only verb needed.

Examples

  • 上海。I'm in Shanghai.
  • 他们 英国。They're in England.
  • 超市。He's at the supermarket.
  • 邮局。She's at the post office.
  • 学校。I'm at school.
  • 公司 吗?(Literally: "Are you at the company?")Are you at the office?
  • 家 吗?Are you at home?
  • 洗手间。I'm in the bathroom.
  • 我 和 朋友 酒吧。I'm with a friend at a bar.
  • 公园。I'm at the park.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books