Difference between revisions of "Expressing existence in a place with "zai""
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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.
 
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.
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Also remember that 后面的词一定是表示某个地方，如果你需要说“在床上”“在冰箱里”，需要加一个表示方位的名词”上、下、里、中“等，[[Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"|"在...上/下/里"]]
 
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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* 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>
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* 我 <em>在</em> 学校。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 <em>在</em> 学校。<span class="trans">I'm at school.</span>
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* 你 <em>在</em> 公司 吗？<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</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>
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* 你 <em>在</em> 家吗？<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 你 <em>在</em> 家吗？<span class="trans">Are you at home?</span>
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* 我 <em>在</em> 洗手间。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 <em>在</em> 洗手间。<span class="trans">I'm in the bathroom.</span>
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* 我 和 朋友 <em>在</em> 酒吧。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 和 朋友 <em>在</em> 酒吧。<span class="trans">I'm with a friend at a bar.</span>
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* 我 <em>在</em> 公园。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 <em>在</em> 公园。<span class="trans">I'm at the park.</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 16:06, 17 October 2013

The verb 在 (zài) expresses existence in a place, similar to the 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

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

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

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