Difference between revisions of "Expressing existence in a place with "zai""
m (Text replacement - "{{HSK|HSK1}}" to "{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}")
 
Line 48: Line 48:
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
−
{{HSK|HSK1}}
+
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|在|A1|在 + Place|老师 <em>在 上海</em> 。|grammar point|ASGLRWT8}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|在|A1|在 + Place|老师 <em>在 上海</em> 。|grammar point|ASGLRWT8}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing existence}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing existence}}

Latest revision as of 09:24, 20 April 2021

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

Structure

The verb 在 (zài) is used to express existence in a place. English does not have a verb exclusively for this purpose, and instead uses "to be" with a preposition. In Chinese, 在 (zài) can cover both of these roles.

Subj. + 在 + Place

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

Examples

  • 我 在 上海。Wǒ zài Shànghǎi.I'm in Shanghai.
  • 他们 在 英国。Tāmen zài Yīngguó.They're in England.
  • 老板 在 外面。Lǎobǎn zài wàimiàn.The boss is outside.
  • 他 不 在 学校。Tā bù zài xuéxiào.He's not at school.
  • 她 现在 在 家 吗？Tā xiànzài zài jiā ma？Is she at home now?
  • 你 在 公司 吗？Literally, "Are you at the company?"Nǐ zài gōngsī ma?Are you at the office?
  • 老师 不 在 办公室 吗？ Lǎoshī bù zài bàngōngshì ma?Is the teacher not in the office?
  • 谁 在 楼上？Shéi zài lóushàng?Who is upstairs?
  • 我 和 朋友 在 酒吧。Wǒ hé péngyou zài jiǔbā.I'm with a friend at a bar.
  • 你们 明天 在 北京 吗？Nǐmen míngtiān zài Běijīng ma?Are you guys in Beijing tomorrow?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Retrieved from "https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Expressing_existence_in_a_place_with_%22zai%22&oldid=48955"