Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
preposition / verb / adverb HSK 1
zài
at · in · on · to be at/in · to exist

Meaning

在 is one of the most fundamental and versatile words in Mandarin. As a verb, it means 'to be located at' or 'to exist.' As a preposition, it indicates location ('at/in/on') and appears before place words. As an adverb before verbs, it indicates an action in progress (ongoing aspect).

Usage

在 is essential for expressing location and ongoing actions. Use '在 + place + verb' to show where an action occurs (e.g., 在家吃饭). Use '在 + verb' to show continuous action (我在看书 'I am reading'). In formal writing, 在 often appears in set phrases indicating existence or presence.

Examples

  1. 01
    我在北京工作。
    Wǒ zài Běijīng gōngzuò.
    I work in Beijing.
  2. 02
    他在看电视。
    Tā zài kàn diànshì.
    He is watching TV.

Common collocations

  • 在家
    zài jiā
    at home
  • 在这儿
    zài zhèr
    here
  • 在...上
    zài...shàng
    on...
  • 正在
    zhèng zài
    in the process of

Origin

The character 在 originally depicted a person (人) standing on earth/ground (土), representing existence or presence at a location.

Related