Difference between revisions of "Special cases of "zai" following verbs"

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When used to indicate locations, 在 (zài) is usually placed immediately after the subject. However, there are ''exceptions'' to this rule.
 
When used to indicate locations, 在 (zài) is usually placed immediately after the subject. However, there are ''exceptions'' to this rule.
  

Revision as of 02:35, 25 November 2013

When used to indicate locations, 在 (zài) is usually placed immediately after the subject. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

In some cases, the usual rule for location preceding the verb does not apply. Instead, it goes after the verb. This often occurs with particular verbs, including: 住, 放, 坐, 站.

Structure

These are verbs that imply movement or location. Technically, the structure is called a location complement, but it can be understood without going into that much detail. Just remember that for verbs implying movement or location like the ones above, the rule changes and you get this structure:

Subject + Special verb + 在 + Location

Examples

  • 我 住 在 上海I live in Shanghai.
  • 那 本 书 我 放 在 桌子 上 了。I placed that book on the table.
  • 我 坐 在 你 右边I sit on your right side.
  • 他 站 在 马路 旁He stands at the side of the road.
  • 这 些 东西,不要 扔 在 地 上Don't throw these things on the ground.
  • 你 的 衣服 应该 放 在 柜子 里Your clothes should be in the wardrobe.
  • 别 站 在 马路 中间, 很 危险。Don't stand in the middle of the road, it's very dangerous.

  • 孩子 总是 喜欢 坐 在 地 上Kids always like sitting on the ground.
  • 他 不 会 留 在 这 家 公司He can't leave this family company.
  • 我 觉得 住 在 上海 非常 方便。I think it is very convenient to live in Shanghai.

Remember that this is an exception to the normal rule. A common mistake is to over apply this and produce incorrect sentences. Note the incorrect and correct versions below.

  • 我 工作 在 上海I work located in Shanghai. (incorrect)
  • 在 上海 工作。I work in Shanghai. (correct)
  • 我 学习 在 图书馆I study located in the library. (incorrect)
  • 在 图书馆 学习。I study in the library. (correct)

See also

Books