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?
  • 他 坐 在 老板 的 旁边Tā zuò zài lǎobǎn de pángbiān. He sits next to the boss.
  • 你 应该 站 在 我 后面Nǐ yīnggāi zhàn zài wǒ hòumian. You should stand behind me.
  • 不要 坐 在 我 的 床 上Bùyào rēng zài dìshang. Don't throw on the ground.
  • 你 的 衣服 不可以 放 在 这里Nǐ de yīfu bùkěyǐ fàng zài zhèlǐ. You can't 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.
  • 那 本 书 我 放 在 桌子 上 了。Nà běn shū wǒ fàng zài zhuōzi shang le. I placed that book on the table.
  • 不要 走 在 草地 上Búyào zǒu zài cǎodìshang. Don't walk on the grass.
  • 我男朋友 不想 待 在 这 家 公司 了。Wǒ nánpéngyou bù xiǎngdāi zài zhè jiā gōngsī le. My boyfriend no longer wants to stay in this company.

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