Special cases of "zai" following verbs

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 (zhù), 放 (fàng), 坐 (zuò), 站 (zhàn).

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:

Subj. + Special verb + 在 + Location

Examples

  • 你 住 在 上海 吗?Nǐ zhù zài Shànghǎi ma? Do you live in Shanghai?
  • 那 本 书 我 放 在 桌子 上 了。 Nà běn shū wǒ fàng zài zhuōzi shàng le. I placed that book on the table.
  • 我 坐 在 老板 的 旁边Wǒ zuò zài lǎobǎn de pángbiān. I sit next to the boss.
  • 他 站 在 我 后面Tā zhàn zài wǒ hòumian. He stands behind me.
  • 不要 扔 在 地 上Bùyào rēng zài dìshang. Don't throw on the ground.
  • 你 的 衣服 应该 放 在 这里Nǐ de yīfu yīnggāi fàng zài zhèlǐ. You should put your clothes here.
  • 不要 站 在 路 中间Bùyào zhàn zài lù zhōngjiān. Don't stand in the middle of the road.
  • 孩子 总是 喜欢 坐 在 地 上Háizi zǒngshì xǐhuan zuò zài dìshang. Kids always like sitting on the ground.
  • 他 不 会 待 在 这 家 公司Tā bù huì dāi zài zhè jiā gōngsī. He won't stay in this company.
  • 不要 走 在 草地 上Búyào zǒu zài cǎodì shang. Don't walk on the grass.

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Wǒ gōngzuò zài Shànghǎi. I work located in Shanghai. (incorrect)
  • 在 上海 工作 。 zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò. I work in Shanghai. (correct)
  • 我 学习 在 图书馆Wǒ xuéxí zài túshūguǎn. I study located in the library. (incorrect)
  • 在 图书馆 学习 。 zài túshūguǎn xuéxí. I study in the library. (correct)

See also

Books