Difference between revisions of "Expressing existence in a place with "zai""
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=== Books === | === Books === | ||
| + | * [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 85-6) [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] | ||
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 154) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy] | * [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 154) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy] | ||
[[Category:A1 grammar points]] | [[Category:A1 grammar points]] | ||
Revision as of 07:38, 5 February 2012
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. The structure is:
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. Some examples:
- 我 在 上海。
- 他们 在 英国。
- 他 在 超市。
- 她 在 邮局。
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 85-6) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 154) →buy
