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

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
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[[is related to character::在| ]]
 
[[level::A2| ]]
 
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 [[Word order|location preceding the verb]] does not apply. Instead, it goes after the verb. This often occurs with particular verbs, including: 住, 放, 坐, 站.
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When used to indicate locations of actions, 在 (zài) is usually placed after the subject and [[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs|before the verb]]. There are certain cases, however, when 在 (zài) goes after the verb.
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== 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:
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This pattern is used regularly with special types of verbs, including: 住 (zhù), 放 (fàng), 坐 (zuò), and 站 (zhàn). 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 [[Expressing existence in a place with "zai"|default sentence order]] changes and you get this structure:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + Special verb + 在 + Location
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Subj. + [Special Verb] + 在 + Location
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 住 <em>在 上海</em> <span class="trans">I live in Shanghai.</span>
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* 住 <em>在</em> <strong>上海</strong>吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhù <em>zài</em> <strong>Shànghǎi</strong> ma? </span><span class="trans">Do you live in Shanghai? </span>
* 那 本 书 我 放 <em>在 桌子 上</em> 了。<span class="trans">I placed that book on the table.</span>
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* 他 坐 <em>在</em> <strong>老板 的 旁边</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zuò <em>zài</em>  <strong>lǎobǎn de pángbiān</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He sits next to the boss.</span>
* 我 坐 <em>在 你 右边</em> 。<span class="trans">I sit on your right side.</span>
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* 你 应该 站 <em>在</em> <strong>我 后面</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yīnggāi zhàn <em>zài</em> <strong>wǒ hòumiàn</strong>.</span><span class="trans">You should stand behind me.</span>
* 他 站 <em>在 马路 旁</em> 。<span class="trans">He stands at the side of the road.</span>
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* 不要 坐 <em>在</em><strong>我 的 床 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zuò <em>zài</em> <strong>wǒ de chuáng shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't sit on my bed.</span>
* 这 些 东西,不要 扔  <em>在 地 上</em ><span class="trans">Don't throw these things on the ground.</span>
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* 你 的 衣服 不 可以 放 <em>在</em><strong> 这里</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de yīfu bù kěyǐ fàng <em>zài</em> <strong>zhèlǐ</strong>.</span><span class="trans">You can't put your clothes here.</span>
* 你 的 衣服 应该 放 <em>在 柜子 里</em> 。<span class="trans">Your clothes should be in the wardrobe.</span>
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* 不要 站 <em>在 </em><strong>路 中间</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zhàn <em>zài</em><strong> lù zhōngjiān</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't stand in the middle of the road.</span>
* 站 <em>在 马路 中间</em>, 很 危险。<span class="trans">Don't stand in the middle of the road, it's very dangerous.
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* 不要 坐 <em>在 </em><strong>地 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào zuò <em>zài</em> <strong>dì shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't sit on the ground.</span>
</span>
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* 那 本 书 我 放 <em>在</em><strong> 桌子 上</strong> 了。<span class="pinyin">Nà běn shū wǒ fàng <em>zài</em> <strong>zhuōzi shàng </strong> le.</span><span class="trans">I placed that book on the table.</span>
* 孩子 总是 喜欢 <em>在 地 上</em> <span class="trans">Kids always like sitting on the ground.</span>
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* 不要 走 <em>在 </em><strong>草地 上</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Búyào zǒu <em>zài</em><strong> cǎodì shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Don't walk on the grass.</span>
* 他 不 会 <em>这 家 公司</em> 。<span class="trans">He can't leave this family company.</span>
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* 周末 不 想 待 <em>在</em> <strong>家 里</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Zhōumò wǒ bù xiǎng dāi <em>zài</em> <strong>jiā  lǐ</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I don't want to stay at home on weekends.</span>
* 我 觉得 <em>上海</em> 非常 方便。<span class="trans">I think it is very convenient to live in Shanghai.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">我 工作 <strong>在 上海</strong><span class="trans">I work located in Shanghai. (incorrect)</span></li>
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<li class="x">我 工作 <em>在 </em>上海。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gōngzuò <em>zài</em> Shànghǎi.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <strong>在 上海</strong> 工作。<span class="trans">I work in Shanghai. (correct)</span></li>
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<li class="o">我 <em>在</em> 上海工作。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài</em>  Shànghǎi gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I work in Shanghai.</span></li>
<li class="x">我 学习 <strong>在 图书馆</strong><span class="trans">I study located in the library. (incorrect)</span></li>
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<li class="x">我 学习 <em>在</em> 图书馆。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xuéxí <em>zài </em>túshūguǎn.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <strong>在 图书馆</strong> 学习。<span class="trans">I study in the library. (correct)</span></li>
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<li class="o">我 <em>在</em> 图书馆 学习。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zài </em>túshūguǎn xuéxí.</span><span class="trans">I study in the library.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See also==
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== See Also ==
  
* [[Expressing existence in a place]]
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* [[Expressing existence in a place with "zai"]]
* [[Using "zai" with verbs]]
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* [[Indicating location with "zai" before verbs]]
* [[Complements with "dao", "gei" and "zai"]]
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* [[Complements with "dao," "gei," and "zai"]]
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== Sources and further reading ==
  
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 104-105) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
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{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|104-105}}
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
{{Used for| Expressing location}}
 
{{Used for| Expressing location}}
{{Basic Grammar|在|A2|V + 在 + Place|我 住 <em>在</em> 北京。放 <em>在</em> 这里。|grammar point|ASG90DXK}}
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{{Basic Grammar|在|A2|Verb + 在 + Place|我 住 <em>在</em> 北京。放 <em>在</em> 这里。|grammar point|ASG90DXK}}
{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place}}  
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{{Similar|Expressing existence in a place with "zai"}}  
{{Similar|Using "zai" with verbs}}   
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{{Similar|Indicating location with "zai" before verbs}}   
{{Similar|Complements with "dao", "gei" and "zai"}}
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{{Similar|Complements with "dao," "gei" and "zai"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing location with "zai...shang/xia/li"}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

When used to indicate locations of actions, 在 (zài) is usually placed after the subject and before the verb. There are certain cases, however, when 在 (zài) goes after the verb.

Structure

This pattern is used regularly with special types of verbs, including: 住 (zhù), 放 (fàng), 坐 (zuò), and 站 (zhàn). 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 default sentence order changes and you get this structure:

Subj. + [Special Verb] + 在 + Location

Examples

  • 你 住 上海吗?Nǐ zhù zài Shànghǎi ma? Do you live in Shanghai?
  • 他 坐 老板 的 旁边Tā zuò zài lǎobǎn de pángbiān.He sits next to the boss.
  • 你 应该 站 我 后面Nǐ yīnggāi zhàn zài wǒ hòumiàn.You should stand behind me.
  • 不要 坐 我 的 床 上Bùyào zuò zài wǒ de chuáng shàng.Don't sit on my bed.
  • 你 的 衣服 不 可以 放 这里Nǐ de yīfu bù kěyǐ fàng zài zhèlǐ.You can't put your clothes here.
  • 不要 站 路 中间Bùyào zhàn zài lù zhōngjiān.Don't stand in the middle of the road.
  • 不要 坐 地 上Bùyào zuò zài dì shàng.Don't sit on the ground.
  • 那 本 书 我 放 桌子 上 了。Nà běn shū wǒ fàng zài zhuōzi shàng le.I placed that book on the table.
  • 不要 走 草地 上Búyào zǒu zài cǎodì shàng.Don't walk on the grass.
  • 周末 我 不 想 待 家 里Zhōumò wǒ bù xiǎng dāi zài jiā lǐ.I don't want to stay at home on weekends.

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 上海。Wǒ gōngzuò zài Shànghǎi.
  • 上海工作。zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò.I work in Shanghai.
  • 我 学习 图书馆。Wǒ xuéxí zài túshūguǎn.
  • 图书馆 学习。zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.I study in the library.

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books