Difference between revisions of "Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li""

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
  
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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".
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You can [[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs|use 在 (zài) to express location]], but this article will explain how to use 在 (zài) to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is "on the table" or "in the room."
  
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==Structure==
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== 在 (zài) with "Big Locations" ==
  
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To show where an object is in relation to another object, you can use 在 and a direction complement.
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If you're talking about a "big place," like a country or city, then all you need is 在 (zài) and the name of the place.
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
在 + Place
 +
</div>
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
  
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在 + Location + 上/下/里/旁边/etc
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For example, these phrases are fine just as they are:
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
* <em>在</em> 中国 <span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em>Zhōngguó</span><span class="trans">in China</span>
 +
* <em>在</em> 美国 <span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> Měiguó</span><span class="trans">in the USA</span>
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* <em>在</em> 上海 <span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> Shànghǎi</span><span class="trans">in Shanghai</span>
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* <em>在</em> 纽约 <span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> Niǔyuē</span><span class="trans">in New York</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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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.
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You wouldn't want to add other words to the ends of these place names.
  
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==Examples==
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== 在 (zài) with Specific Locations==
  
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'''Needs examples'''
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To show where an object is in relation to another object, make a "sandwich" starting with 在 (zài), add a place, and then add one of the following words: 上 (shàng), 下 (xià), 里 (lǐ), 旁边 (pángbiān).
  
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==Abstract Uses==
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=== Structure ===
  
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Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases.
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<div class="jiegou">
 +
在 + Location+ 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁边
 +
</div>
  
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===在 + 上===
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Notice that the [[preposition| "preposition"]] comes after the location and object 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.
  
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This construction can be translated as "on the topic of" or "in regards to". It can be used to comment on an idea or concept. The examples below will help.
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=== Examples ===
  
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<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
  
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在 + Abstract Concepts + 上 + Comment
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*<em>在</em> 桌子 <strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> zhuōzi <strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">on the table</span>
 +
*<em>在</em> 地<strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> dì<strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">on the floor.</span>
 +
*你 的 手机 <em>在</em> 包 <strong>里</strong> 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de shǒujī <em>zài</em> bāo <strong>lǐ</strong> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is your cell phone in the bag?</span>
 +
*他 <em>在</em> 楼 <strong>下</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zài</em> lóu<strong>xià</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He is downstairs.</span>
 +
*Walmart <em>在</em> 我家 <strong>旁边</strong>  。<span class="pinyin">Walmart <em>zài</em> wǒ jiā <strong>pángbiān</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Walmart is next to my house.</span>
 +
*我 <em>在</em> 火车 <strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài</em> huǒchē <strong>shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I am on the train.</span>
 +
*我 <em>在</em> 地铁 <strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài</em> dìtiě <strong>shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I'm on the metro.</span>
  
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</div class>
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</div>
  
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====Examples====
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== 在 (zài) with Specific Occasion ==
  
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'''Needs examples'''
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=== Structure ===
  
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===在 + 下===
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<div class="jiegou">
 +
在 + Occasion + 上
 +
</div>
  
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This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.
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=== Examples ===
  
−
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
  
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在 + Abstract Concept + 下 + Result/Comment
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*<em>在</em> 课 <em>上</em><span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> kè <strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">in class</span>
 +
*<em>在</em> 派对 <em>上</em><span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> pàiduì <strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">at the party</span>
 +
*<em>在</em> 会议 <em>上</em><span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> huìyì <strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">at the meeting</span>
 +
*<em>在</em> 婚礼 <em>上</em><span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em> hūnlǐ <strong>shàng</strong></span><span class="trans">at the wedding</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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====Examples====
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== Common Nouns of Locality ==
  
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'''Needs examples'''
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The little words that come after the location in the phrases above aren't really "prepositions." They are called "nouns of locality," or 方位词 (fāngwèicí) in Chinese.  They actually tend to have several forms, which can be confusing if you're not used to them.  The chart below shows their most common forms:
  
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===在 + 方面===
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<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
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<tr>
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<th style="width:15%"  data-pdf-style="width:30%">One-Character</th>
 +
<th style="width:25%"  data-pdf-style="width:45%">Two-Character</th>
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<th style="width:17%"  data-pdf-style="width:25%">English</th>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr><td>上<span class="pinyin">shàng</span></td><td>上面 / 上边<span class="pinyin">shàngmiàn / shàngbian</span></td><td>top, above</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>下<span class="pinyin">xià</span></td><td>下面 / 下边<span class="pinyin">xiàmiàn / xiàbian</span></td><td>bottom, under</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>里<span class="pinyin">lǐ</span></td><td>里面 / 里边<span class="pinyin">lǐmiàn / lǐbian</span></td><td>inside</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>外<span class="pinyin">wài</span></td><td>外面 / 外边<span class="pinyin">wàimiàn / wàibian </span></td><td>outside</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>边<span class="pinyin">biān</span></td><td>旁边<span class="pinyin">pángbiān</span></td><td>side, beside</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>前<span class="pinyin">qián</span></td><td>前面 / 前边<span class="pinyin">qiánmiàn / qiánbian </span></td><td>front</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>后<span class="pinyin">hòu</span></td><td>后面 / 后边<span class="pinyin">hòumiàn / hòubian</span></td><td>back, behind</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>左<span class="pinyin">zuǒ</span></td><td>左边<span class="pinyin">zuǒbian</span></td><td>left</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>右<span class="pinyin">yòu</span></td><td>右边<span class="pinyin">yòubian</span></td><td>right</td></tr>
 +
</table>
  
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This construction is very similar to the "在...上" above. It translates to "in relation to" or "on the topic of".
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==Abstract Uses==
  
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<div class="jiegou''>
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Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases. These kinds of phrases can really make your Chinese sound polished. Later on you will learn about these [[idiomatic phrases with "zai"]].
  
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在 + Abstract Concept + 方面 + Comment
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==See Also==
  
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==See Also==
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*[[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs]]
 +
*[[Special cases of "zai" following verbs]]
 +
*[[Expressing existence in a place with "zai"]]
  
 
==Sources and Further Reading==
 
==Sources and Further Reading==
Line 65: Line 106:
 
===Books===
 
===Books===
  
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* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 128) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4上|10}}
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* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|128}}
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+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|191}}
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|264, 325}}
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{{Used for| Expressing location}}
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)|40-1, 164-5, 185}}
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{{Basic Grammar|在|B1|在 + Place + Complement|<em>在</em> 桌子 上。|grammar point|}}
 
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{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place}}
 
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{{Similar|"Zai" following verbs}}
 
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{{Similar|Complements with "dao", "gei" and "zai"}}
 
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{{Similar|Basic sentence order}}  
 
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{{POS|Prepositions}}
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
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{{HSK|HSK4}}
 +
[[Category:Table]]
 +
{{Used for|Expressing location}}
 +
{{Used for|Describing places}}
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{{Used for|Giving directions}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|在|A2|在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁边|你 的 手机 <em>在</em> 桌子 <em>上</em>。|grammar point|ASGFBWZL}}
 +
{{Rel char|上}}
 +
{{Rel char|下}}
 +
{{Rel char|里}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place with "zai"}}
 +
{{Similar|Indicating location with "zai" before verbs}}
 +
{{Similar|Special cases of "zai" following verbs}}
 +
{{Similar|Complements with "dao," "gei" and "zai"}}
 +
{{Similar|Idiomatic phrases with "zai"}}
 +
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|at}}
 
{{Translation|at}}
 +
{{Translation|on}}

Latest revision as of 04:54, 9 March 2019

You can use 在 (zài) to express location, but this article will explain how to use 在 (zài) to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is "on the table" or "in the room."

在 (zài) with "Big Locations"

If you're talking about a "big place," like a country or city, then all you need is 在 (zài) and the name of the place.

Structure

在 + Place

Examples

For example, these phrases are fine just as they are:

  • 在 中国 zàiZhōngguóin China
  • 在 美国 zài Měiguóin the USA
  • 在 上海 zài Shànghǎiin Shanghai
  • 在 纽约 zài Niǔyuēin New York

You wouldn't want to add other words to the ends of these place names.

在 (zài) with Specific Locations

To show where an object is in relation to another object, make a "sandwich" starting with 在 (zài), add a place, and then add one of the following words: 上 (shàng), 下 (xià), 里 (lǐ), 旁边 (pángbiān).

Structure

在 + Location+ 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁边

Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location and object 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.

Examples

  • 在 桌子 上 。zài zhuōzi shàngon the table
  • 在 地上 。zài dìshàngon the floor.
  • 你 的 手机 在 包 里 吗 ？Nǐ de shǒujī zài bāo lǐ ma?Is your cell phone in the bag?
  • 他 在 楼 下 。Tā zài lóuxià.He is downstairs.
  • Walmart 在 我家 旁边 。Walmart zài wǒ jiā pángbiān.Walmart is next to my house.
  • 我 在 火车 上 。Wǒ zài huǒchē shàng.I am on the train.
  • 我 在 地铁 上 。Wǒ zài dìtiě shàng.I'm on the metro.

在 (zài) with Specific Occasion

Structure

在 + Occasion + 上

Examples

  • 在 课 上zài kè shàngin class
  • 在 派对 上zài pàiduì shàngat the party
  • 在 会议 上zài huìyì shàngat the meeting
  • 在 婚礼 上zài hūnlǐ shàngat the wedding

Common Nouns of Locality

The little words that come after the location in the phrases above aren't really "prepositions." They are called "nouns of locality," or 方位词 (fāngwèicí) in Chinese. They actually tend to have several forms, which can be confusing if you're not used to them. The chart below shows their most common forms:

One-Character Two-Character English
上shàng上面 / 上边shàngmiàn / shàngbiantop, above
下xià下面 / 下边xiàmiàn / xiàbianbottom, under
里lǐ里面 / 里边lǐmiàn / lǐbianinside
外wài外面 / 外边wàimiàn / wàibian outside
边biān旁边pángbiānside, beside
前qián前面 / 前边qiánmiàn / qiánbian front
后hòu后面 / 后边hòumiàn / hòubianback, behind
左zuǒ左边zuǒbianleft
右yòu右边yòubianright

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. Later on you will learn about these idiomatic phrases with "zai".

See Also

Sources and Further Reading

Books


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