Difference between revisions of "Expressing existence in a place with "zai""
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{{Used for|Expressing existence}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing existence}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing location}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing location}}
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{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{Subprop|Verbs}}
 
{{Subprop|Verbs}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|at}}
 
{{Translation|at}}

Revision as of 07:34, 18 June 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.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

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