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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'inside' or a locative with 里 (lǐ)

    Location & Position

    Structure

    Noun + 里

    Explanation

    The character 里 (lǐ) functions as a locative noun meaning 'inside' or 'in,' and it is placed after a noun to indicate location within something. It is one of the most common location words in Chinese and appears in phrases like 家里 (at home) and 心里 (in one's heart).

    Examples

    • 钥匙放在抽屉里了，你自己去拿吧。

      Yàoshi fàng zài chōutì lǐ le, nǐ zìjǐ qù ná ba.

      The key is in the drawer. Go get it yourself.

    • 他心里一直惦记着远方的家人。

      Tā xīnlǐ yīzhí diànjì zhe yuǎnfāng de jiārén.

      He has always been thinking about his family far away.

    • 书包里装了好几本厚厚的课本。

      Shūbāo lǐ zhuāng le hǎo jǐ běn hòuhòu de kèběn.

      The school bag was packed with several thick textbooks.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'inside' or a locative with 里 (lǐ) | Chinese Grammar