Idiomatic phrases with "zai"

Revision as of 02:07, 2 January 2018 by ChenShishuang (talk | contribs)

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 不 一样 。Zài zhè gè wèntí shàng, wǒmen de kànfǎ bù yīyàng.In regards to this problem, our opinions are not 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 American history, who is the most important president?
  • 这 两 位 老师 教学 方法 很 不 一样 。Zhè liǎng wèi lǎoshī zài jiàoxué fāngfǎ shàng hěn bù yīyàng.These two Chinese teachers are very different in their teaching methods.
  • 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 dìdao.This sentence is okay to say in terms of grammar, it's just not very authentic.
  • 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 on the topic of 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 + Situation / Condition + 下 ,Result/Comment

Examples

  • 这样 的 环境 长大 ,孩子 怎么 可能 会 快乐 ?Zài zhèyàng de huánjìng xià zhǎngdà, háizi zěnme kěnéng huì kuàilè?How can kids be happy growing up in this kind of environment?
  • 这 种 情况 ,你 会 怎么 做 ?Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, nǐ huì zěnme zuò?In this situation, what would you do?
  • 我 想 知道 这 种 条件 ,你们 是 怎么 做到 的 ?Wǒ xiǎng zhīdào zài zhè zhǒng tiáojiàn xià, nǐmen shì zěnme zuòdào de?I wonder how you pulled it off under this condition?
  • 政府 的 帮助 ,他 读 完 了 大学。Zài zhèngfǔ de bāngzhù xià, tā dú wán le dàxué.With the financial help of the government, he was able to finish college education.
  • 老师 的 鼓励 ,我 去 报名 了 。Zài lǎoshī de gǔlì xià, wǒ qù bàomíng le.With the encouragement of the teacher, I went to sign up.

Used with 方面

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

Examples

  • 事业 方面 ,他 很 成功 。Zài shìyè fāngmiàn, tā hěn chénggōng.On the topic of career, he's very successful.
  • 管理 方面 ,你 是 专家 。Zài guǎnlǐ fāngmiàn, nǐ shì zhuānjiā.On the topic of management, you're an expert.
  • 技术 方面 ,我 没有 你 懂 得 多 。Zài jìshù fāngmiàn, wǒ méiyǒu nǐ dǒng de duō.On the topic of technology, my knowledge is a lot less than yours.
  • 我们 公司 这个 方面 的 服务 会 越来越 好 。Wǒmen gōngsī zài zhège fāngmiàn de fúwù huì yuèláiyuè hǎo.Our company's service related to this part will be better and better.
  • 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