Chinese grammar - 在 (zài) - 'to be in', 'at' some location |
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A preposition is a word that connotes position or location. The Chinese word 在 (zài) is a versatile 'prepositional verb' used to state location and is akin to 'to be in', 'to be at' or 'to be located'. Indeed 在 is actually a verb, and when used in a declarative phrase it replaces the verb 是 (shì) - 'to be'. Note that 在 is not used to denote 'inside an enclosed space'. 里 (lǐ) or 里面 (lǐmiàn) are used for this and are covered in a later topic. Also be aware that 在 is not used with the verbs 有 or 没有 - these require true prepositions such as 里 (lǐ). |
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我在公园。
wǒ zài gōngyuán. I am in the park.
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他在学校。
tā zài xuéxiào. He is at school.
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学生在教室。
xuéshēng zài jiàoshì. The student is in the classroom.
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你在家吗？
nǐ zài jiā ma? Are you at home?
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她在家。
tā zài jiā. She is at home. |
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她在办公室。
tā zài bàngōngshì. She is at the office.
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他在银行。
tā zài yínháng. He is at the bank.
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我在餐厅。
wǒ zài cāntīng. I am at the restaurant.
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她在商店。
tā zài shāngdiàn. She is at the store.
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我在医院。
wǒ zài yīyuàn. I am in the hospital.
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