Difference between revisions of "Idiomatic phrases with "zai""

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You probably already know how to [[Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"|express location with "在"]]. In this article, we'll go more in depth as to how you can make idiomatic phrases using that construction. This kind of form is actually similar to some that we have in English, so it won't be too difficult.
 
  
===Expressing "on the topic of" with "在...上"===
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You probably already know how to [[Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"|express location with 在]]. In this article, we'll go more in depth as to how you can make idiomatic phrases using that construction. This kind of form is actually similar to some that we have in English, so it won't be too difficult.
  
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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== Used with 上 ==
  
<div class="jiegou">
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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.
  
在 + Abstract Concepts + 上,  Comment Sentence
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=== Structure ===
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
在 + Topic + 上 ,Subj. ⋯⋯
 
</div class>
 
</div class>
  
====Examples====
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Note that the subject can also be put before 在.
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* <em>在</em> 这 个 问题 <em>上</em>,我们 的 看法 不 一样。<span class="trans">In regards to this problem, our perspective is not the same.</span>
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* <em>在</em> 技术 <em>上</em>,这样 做 可以 的。<span class="trans">In terms of technique, this way of doing things works.</span>
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*<em>在</em> 这 个 问题 <strong>上</strong> ,我们 的 看法 是 一样 的 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> zhège wèntí <strong>shàng</strong>, wǒmen de kànfǎ shì yīyàng de.</span><span class="trans">In regards to this problem, our opinions are the same.</span>
* 中国 和 美国 的 大学 <em></em> 教学 方法 <em></em> 有 很 大 的 不同。<span class="trans">As far as teaching methods, Chinese and American universities have big differences.</span>
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*<em>在</em> 美国 历史 <strong>上</strong> ,谁 最 重要 的 总统 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> Měiguó lìshǐ <strong>shàng</strong>, shéi shì zuì zhòngyào de zǒngtǒng ?</span><span class="trans">In regards to American history, who is the most important president?</span>
* 这个 句子 <em>在</em> 语法 <em>上</em> 是 可以 说 的,就是 不 太 自然。<span class="trans">This sentence is okay to say in terms of grammar, it's just not very natural.</span>
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*这个 句子 <em>在</em> 语法 <strong>上</strong> 没 什么 问题 ,但是 不 太 自然 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège jùzi <em>zài</em> yǔfǎ <strong>shàng</strong> méi shénme wèntí, dànshì bù tài zìrán.</span><span class="trans">This sentence is okay to say in terms of grammar, it's just not very natural.</span>
* <em>在</em>美国 历史 <em>上</em>,最 重要 的 总统 是 谁?<span class="trans">In American history, who is the most important president?</span>
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*南方人 和 北方人 <em>在</em> 生活 习惯 <strong>上</strong> 有 很多 差异 。<span class="pinyin">Nánfāng rén hé běifāng rén <em>zài</em> shēnghuó xíguàn <strong>shàng</strong> yǒu hěn duō chāyì.</span><span class="trans">There are many differences between northern and southern people when it comes to living habits.</span>
* 你 知道 南方人 和 北方人 <em></em> 生活 习惯 <em></em> 有 什么 不同 吗?<span class="trans">Do you know what the differences are between northern and southern people as far as living habits?</span>
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</div>
 
</div>
  
===Expressing "under" with "在..."===
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== Used with 下 ==
  
 
This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.
 
This construction can be translated (rather directly) as "under" and expresses conditions that affected the comment that comes after.
 +
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
⋯⋯ 下 ,⋯⋯
+ Abstract Concept + 下, Result/Comment Sentence
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
====Examples====
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* <em>在</em> 这样 的 环境 <em></em>长大,孩子 怎么 可能 会 快乐?<span class="trans">How can kids be happy growing up in this kind of environment?</span>
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* <em>在</em> 这种 情况<em>下</em>,你 会 怎么 做?<span class="trans"></span>
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*<em>在</em> 这样 的 环境 <strong>下</strong> 长大 ,孩子 会 快乐 吗 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> zhèyàng de huánjìng <strong>xià</strong> zhǎngdà, háizi huì kuàilè ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you think kids will be happy growing up in this kind of environment?</span>
* <em></em> 这样 的 天气 条件<em></em>开车 是 很 不 安全 的。<span class="trans"></span>
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*<em>在</em> 这 种 情况 <strong>下</strong> ,你们 会 怎么 做 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng <strong>xià</strong>, nǐmen huì zěnme zuò?</span><span class="trans">Under these kinds of circumstances, what would you do?</span>
* <em>在</em> 老师 的 鼓励 <em>下</em>,我 决定 去 参加 这个面试。<span class="trans">.</span>
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*<em>在</em> 紧急 情况 <strong>下</strong> ,你 可以 这样 做 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> jǐnjí qíngkuàng <strong>xià</strong>, nǐ kěyǐ zhèyàng zuò.</span><span class="trans">In an emergency situation, you can do this.</span>
* <em></em> 朋友 的 支持 <em></em>,我 自己 开 了 一 个 公司。<span class="trans">With the support of my friends, I was able to start my own business.</span>
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*<em>在</em> 那么 困难 条件 <strong>下</strong> ,她 还是 坚持 让 孩子们 都 上学 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> nàme kùnnan de tiáojiàn <strong>xià</strong>, tā háishì jiānchí ràng háizi men dōu shàngxué.</span><span class="trans">Under dire financial conditions, she still insisted that the children should all attend school.</span>
* <em>在</em>政府 帮助<em></em>,他 读 完 了 四年大学。<span class="trans">With the financial help of the government, he was able to finish four year college education.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
===Expressing "on the topic of" with "在...方面"===
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== Used with 方面 ==
 +
 
 +
This construction is similar to the 在⋯⋯上 above, which translates to "in relation to" or "on the topic of."
  
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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=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
在 + Topic + 方面 ,Subj. ⋯⋯
 +
</div class>
  
在 + Abstract Concept + 方面, Comment Sentence
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=== Examples ===
  
</div>
+
<div class="liju">
  
====Examples====
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*<em>在</em> 事业 <strong>方面</strong> ,我 老板 很 成功 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> shìyè <strong>fāngmiàn</strong>, wǒ lǎobǎn hěn chénggōng.</span><span class="trans">With regards to career, my boss is very successful.</span>
 
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*<em>在</em> 技术 <strong>方面</strong> ,他 是 专家 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> jìshù <strong>fāngmiàn</strong>, tā shì zhuānjiā.</span><span class="trans">When it comes to technology, he's an expert.</span>
<div class="liju">
+
*<em>在</em> 管理 <strong>方面</strong> ,你 比 我 有经验 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> guǎnlǐ <strong>fāngmiàn</strong>, nǐ bǐ wǒ yǒu jīngyàn.</span><span class="trans">When it comes to management, you have more experience than I do.</span>
*很多 中国 父母<em></em>家庭 教育 <em>方面</em>还有 很多 问题。<span class="trans">On the topic of raising children, Chinese parents still have a lot of problems.</span>
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*中西方 文化 <em>在</em> 很多 <strong>方面</strong> 都 有 共同点 。<span class="pinyin">Zhōng-xīfāng wénhuà <em>zài</em> hěn duō <strong>fāngmiàn</strong> dōu yǒu gòngtóngdiǎn.</span><span class="trans">In certain aspects, Chinese and Western culture have a lot in common.</span>
* <em>在</em> 工资 <em>方面</em>,我 觉得 我们 还 要 再 讨论 一下。<span class="trans">On the topic of salaries, I think we should discuss a little more.</span>
 
* <em></em> 网游 <em>方面</em>,他 是 专家。<span class="trans">On the topic of online games, he is an expert.</span>
 
* 我们 公司<em>在</em> 这些<em>方面</em> 的 服务 还不够好 。<span class="trans">.</span>
 
* 他刚来公司不久,<em>在</em> 工作 <em>方面</em>,还需要你多帮帮他。<span class="trans"></span>
 
* 中西方文化<em></em> 某些 <em>方面</em>是有很多共同点的。<span class="trans"></span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See Also==
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== See also ==
  
 
*[[Using "zai" with verbs]]
 
*[[Using "zai" with verbs]]
Line 74: Line 74:
 
*[[Expressing existence in a place]]
 
*[[Expressing existence in a place]]
  
==Sources and Further Readings==
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== Sources and further reading ==
 
 
===Books===
 
  
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (p. 191) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
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=== Books ===
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (pp. 264, 325)[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]
 
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)]] (pp. 40-1, 164-5, 185) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy]
 
*[[卓越汉语-公司实战篇]] (p. 42, 145) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD-%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87-%E8%83%A1%E7%81%B5%E5%9D%87/dp/B003QZWQ6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347863170&sr=8-1 →buy]
 
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4上|10, 74}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|191}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|264, 325}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)|40-1, 164-5, 185}}
 +
{{Source|卓越汉语-公司实战篇|42, 145}}
  
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
{{Used for|Expressing location}}
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{{HSK|HSK4}}
{{Used for|Indicating conditions}}
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{{Basic Grammar|在|B1|在 + Topic + 上 ,Subj. ⋯⋯|<em>在</em>美国 历史 <strong>上</strong> ,最重要 的 总统 是 谁 ?|grammar point|ASGH13JY}}
{{Basic Grammar|在|B1|在 + Concept + 上/下/方面|<em>在</em> 中国历史 <em>上</em> 我 很 感 兴趣。|grammar point|ASGH13JY}}
 
 
{{Rel char|上}}
 
{{Rel char|上}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}
 
{{Rel char|方面}}
 
{{Rel char|方面}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place}}
{{Similar|"Zai" following verbs}}
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{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"}}
{{Similar|Complements with "dao", "gei" and "zai"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing various aspects with "yi fangmian"}}
{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}}
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{{Used for|Expressing location}}
{{Similar|"On the basis of" with "ping"}}
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{{Used for|Indicating conditions}}
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
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{{POS|Prepositions}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|in}}
 
{{Translation|at}}
 
{{Translation|at}}
 
{{Translation|on}}
 
{{Translation|on}}

Latest revision as of 09:47, 9 November 2020

You probably already know how to express location with 在. In this article, we'll go more in depth as to how you can make idiomatic phrases using that construction. This kind of form is actually similar to some that we have in English, so it won't be too difficult.

Used with 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.

Structure

在 + Topic + 上 ,Subj. ⋯⋯

Note that the subject can also be put before 在.

Examples

  • 这 个 问题 ,我们 的 看法 是 一样 的 。Zài zhège wèntí shàng, wǒmen de kànfǎ shì yīyàng de.In regards to this problem, our opinions are the same.
  • 美国 历史 ,谁 是 最 重要 的 总统 ?Zài Měiguó lìshǐ shàng, shéi shì zuì zhòngyào de zǒngtǒng ?In regards to American history, who is the most important president?
  • 这个 句子 语法 没 什么 问题 ,但是 不 太 自然 。Zhège jùzi zài yǔfǎ shàng méi shénme wèntí, dànshì bù tài zìrán.This sentence is okay to say in terms of grammar, it's just not very natural.
  • 南方人 和 北方人 生活 习惯 有 很多 差异 。Nánfāng rén hé běifāng rén zài shēnghuó xíguàn shàng yǒu hěn duō chāyì.There are many differences between northern and southern people when it comes to living habits.

Used with 下

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

Structure

在 ⋯⋯ 下 ,⋯⋯

Examples

  • 这样 的 环境 长大 ,孩子 会 快乐 吗 ?Zài zhèyàng de huánjìng xià zhǎngdà, háizi huì kuàilè ma?Do you think kids will be happy growing up in this kind of environment?
  • 这 种 情况 ,你们 会 怎么 做 ?Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, nǐmen huì zěnme zuò?Under these kinds of circumstances, what would you do?
  • 紧急 情况 ,你 可以 这样 做 。Zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, nǐ kěyǐ zhèyàng zuò.In an emergency situation, you can do this.
  • 那么 困难 的 条件 ,她 还是 坚持 让 孩子们 都 上学 。Zài nàme kùnnan de tiáojiàn xià, tā háishì jiānchí ràng háizi men dōu shàngxué.Under dire financial conditions, she still insisted that the children should all attend school.

Used with 方面

This construction is similar to the 在⋯⋯上 above, which translates to "in relation to" or "on the topic of."

Structure

在 + Topic + 方面 ,Subj. ⋯⋯

Examples

  • 事业 方面 ,我 老板 很 成功 。Zài shìyè fāngmiàn, wǒ lǎobǎn hěn chénggōng.With regards to career, my boss is very successful.
  • 技术 方面 ,他 是 专家 。Zài jìshù fāngmiàn, tā shì zhuānjiā.When it comes to technology, he's an expert.
  • 管理 方面 ,你 比 我 有经验 。Zài guǎnlǐ fāngmiàn, nǐ bǐ wǒ yǒu jīngyàn.When it comes to management, you have more experience than I do.
  • 中西方 文化 很多 方面 都 有 共同点 。Zhōng-xīfāng wénhuà zài hěn duō fāngmiàn dōu yǒu gòngtóngdiǎn.In certain aspects, Chinese and Western culture have a lot in common.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books