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在 zài — to be at, to be in (a place)

zài (fourth tone, falling)zai4

to be at, to be in (a place)

HSK 1· HSK 1–6 (classic)Level 1· 2021 three-band, nine-level proficiency standardverbpreposition
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Meanings

  1. to be at, to be in (a place)

    As a verb, 在 states where someone or something is, and needs no other verb: 我在家, 老师在学校.

    verb

  2. at, in (before a verb, marking where the action happens)

    preposition

    The place phrase comes before the verb: 我在家看书, never 我看书在家.

Character breakdown

  • 在
    zài (fourth tone, falling)

    to be at, to be in, to exist, to be present; at, in, on (before a place); (before a verb) the progressive marker

    6 strokes⿸𠂇土Radical 土

Example sentences

  • 我在家看书。我在家看書。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) zài (fourth tone, falling) jiā (first tone, high and level) kàn (fourth tone, falling) shū. (first tone, high and level)···

    I read at home.

  • 你的电脑在桌子上。你的電腦在桌子上。Nǐ (third tone, dipping) de (neutral tone) diànnǎo (fourth tone, falling) zài (fourth tone, falling) zhuōzi (first tone, high and level) shàng. (fourth tone, falling)···

    Your computer is on the desk.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite我是在家。

    Correct我在家。

    在 is already a verb of location, so it never follows 是. 我是在家 is like saying "I am am at home".

Similar words

Words containing 在