Indicating location with "zai" before verbs

If you want to describe the place where you are doing, or have done something, you can use 在 (zài).

Structure

To indicate the location that a verb takes place in, 在 (zài) is used.

Subj. + 在 + Location + Verb + Obj.

Notice that the location is placed before the verb in Chinese, whereas, in English, it appears afterwards. Also, you often need a "里 (lǐ)" with "在 (zài)" after a thing to indicate the location.

Examples

  • 上海 上大学。zài Shànghǎi shàng dàxué. I am working in Shanghai.
  • 爸爸 一直 这 家 公司 工作。zài jiǔbā hē jiǔ. I am drinking at the bar.
  • 不 要 床 上 吃 东西。need a "上" with "在" to indicate the location " on the bed". Bù yào zài chuáng shàng chī dōngxī. Don't eat food on the bed.
  • 我 想 开 一 个 派对。Wǒ xiǎng zài jiā kāi yī gè pàiduì. I want to have a party at my home.
  • 他 喜欢 厕所 里 抽烟。need a "里" with "在" to indicate the location " in the bathroom". Tā xǐhuan zài cèsuǒ lǐ chōu yān. He likes to smoke while he's in the bathroom.
  • 很 多 人 地铁 上 吃 早饭。need a "里" with "在" to indicate the location " in the subway". Hěn duō rén zài dìtiě shàng chī bāozi. Many people eat baozi while on the subway.
  • 现在 我们 KTV 唱歌。Xiànzài wǒmen zài KTV chàng gē. Now we're at KTV singing songs.
  • 老板 会议室 见 客户。Lǎobǎn zài huìyìshì jiàn kèhù. The boss is seeing the client in the meeting room.
  • 你 昨天 朋友家 吃 晚饭 了 吗?Nǐ zuótiān zài péngyou jiā chī wǎnfàn le ma? Did you eat dinner at your friend's place?
  • 我 周末 要 睡觉。Wǒ zhōumò yào zài jiā shuìjiào. During the weekend, I want to sleep at home.

Notice that in English we usually put the location at the end of a sentence. This is different in Chinese, as we put the location after the subject, but before the verb.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books