Expressing "within" a period of time using "zai... nei"
Saying "在 (a period of time) 内" may sound a bit redundant, since 在 means "in" and 内 means "within" or "inside," but it is a commonly used "sandwich pattern" which means "within (a period of time)."
Structure
在 + (a period of time) + 内
The period of time in this structure can be a clear-cut indicator of time (days, months, years) or it can be a more vague indicator of time (short amount of time, a lifetime, etc.).
Examples
- 在 短短 的 两 年 内，他 就 成为 了 CEO。In just two years, he has become the CEO.
- 政府 计划 在 十年 内 研究 出 电动 汽车。The government plans to develop an electric car within ten years.
- 在 短短 两个 月 内，她 就 长胖 了 10斤。 10斤 = 5kgIn two short months, she gained 11 pounds.
- 在 未来 两 个 月 内，这 款 游戏 会 上市。In the next two months, this game will be on the market.
- 世界 在 短短 一 个 月 的 时间 内 发生 了 巨大 的 变化 。The world has changed dramatically in just one month's time.
- 你 在 一 个 小时 内 吃 了 两次 饭，你 这么 饿 吗？You ate twice in one hour. Are you really that hungry?
- 我 在 短短 的 半小时 内 接到 了 10 个 电话。I received 10 calls in just half an hour.
- 你 要 在 一个半 小时 内 到 上海。You have to be in Shanghai within an hour and a half.
- 这个 比赛 在 30 分钟 内 进球 就 赢 了。This match will be over if we can score within the next 30 minutes.
- 在 未来 三 年 内，我 希望 能 考过 HSK5。In the next three years, I hope to pass HSK 5.
See Also
- Expressing existence in a place with "zai"
- Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"
- Indicating location with "zai" before verbs
