Difference between revisions of "Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li""
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Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly. | Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly. | ||
| − | Note: 在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/ | + | Note: if the (在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc) structure is placed in the middle of the sentence, as a subject, then the character 在 must be used. If the (在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc) structure is placed at the beginning of the sentence, then the first character 在 can be omitted. |
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
Revision as of 07:16, 25 September 2014
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You can use 在 (zài) to express location, but this article will explain how to use 在 to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is "on the table" or "in the room".
Contents
Structure used for Location
To show where an object is in relation to another object, you can use 在 and a direction complement.
在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc
Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly.
Note: if the (在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc) structure is placed in the middle of the sentence, as a subject, then the character 在 must be used. If the (在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc) structure is placed at the beginning of the sentence, then the first character 在 can be omitted.
Examples
- 你 的 手机 在 桌子 上。Your cell phone is on the table.
- 他 在 楼 下。He is on the lower floor.
- 在 这 个 盒子 里 有 什么？What is inside of this box?
- 一 个 中国 人 在 我 旁边。There is a Chinese person at my side.
- 我 在 地铁 里。I am in the metro.
- 宝宝 在 床 上。The baby is in the bed.
- 手机 在 包 里。The cell-phone is in the box.
- 她们 还 在 公共 汽车 上。They are still on the bus (public transportation vehicle).
- 一只 虫子 在 汤 里 。There is a bug in the soup.
- 我们 现在 在 山 上！We are right now on top of the mountain!
- （在） 我 家 里 有 很 多 好 酒。In my home there are lots of good alcohol.
- （在） 这 个 盒子 里 有 什么？What is inside of this box?
Abstract Uses
Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases. These kinds of phrases can really make your Chinese sound polished. Learn more about this construction here: Idiomatic phrases with "zai"
See Also
Sources and Further Reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 128) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 191) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 264, 325)→buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 40-1, 164-5, 185) →buy
