HSK 1
在
zài
at
Structure
Subject + 在 + Place/Location
How it works
The word '在' (zài) is used as a preposition to indicate the location of a person or object. It functions like the English words 'at', 'in', or 'on' and is typically placed before a place or a spatial position word.
Examples
我在家。
Wǒ zài jiā.
I am at home.
老师在学校。
Lǎoshī zài xuéxiào.
The teacher is at school.
书在桌子上。
Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.
The book is on the table.
Common mistakes
Placement of the verb: Do not put '是' (shì) before '在' when expressing location (e.g., say '我在家', not '我是在家').
Tip
When focusing on a specific position like 'under' or 'inside', remember to add the position word (like 下面 or 里面) after the noun.
More HSK 1 grammar
See 在 in real Chinese
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