Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"

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".

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.

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.

Abstract Uses

Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases.

Expressing "on the topic of" with "在...上"

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.

在 + Abstract Concepts + 上, Comment Sentence

Examples

• 在 这 个 问题 上，我们 的 看法 不 一样。In regards to this problem, our perspective is not the same.
• 在 技术 上，这样 做 是 可以 的。In terms of technique, this way of doing things works.
• 在 语法 上，我 知道 我 还 有 很多 问题。In regards to grammar, I know I still have a lot of questions.

Expressing "under" with "在...下"

This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.

在 + Abstract Concept + 下， Result/Comment Sentence

Examples

• 在 越 来 越 大 的 工作 压力 下，他 辞职 了。Under bigger and bigger pressure, he resigned.
• 在 太太 的 支持 下，我 自己 开 了 一 个 公司。With the support of my wife, I was able to start my own business.
• 在 父母 的 教育 下，他 考 上 了 大学。Under his parent's tutelage, he was able to test into college.
• 在 这样 的 环境 下，孩子 怎么 能 健康 地 成长？How can kids grow up healthy in this kind of environment?

Expressing "on the topic of" with "在...方面"

This construction is very similar to the "在...上" above. It translates to "in relation to" or "on the topic of".

在 + Abstract Concept + 方面, Comment Sentence

Examples

• 在 教育 方面，中国 还 有 很 大 的 问题。On the topic of education, China still has a lot of problems.
• 在 工资 方面，我 觉得 我们 还 要 再 讨论 一下。On the topic of salaries, I think we should discuss a little more.
• 在 网游 方面，他 是 专家。On the topic of online games, he is an expert.

See Also

• Using "zai" with verbs
• "Zai" following verbs
• Expressing existence in a place

Sources and Further Reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 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