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Expressing existence at a location with 在 (zài)
HSK 1Existence & Possession
Location & Position
Structure
Subject + 在 + Location
Explanation
The verb 在 expresses that something exists or is located at a particular place. It functions similarly to "to be at" or "to be in" in English. For example, 他在家 means "He is at home" and 书在桌子上 means "The book is on the table."
Examples
我的猫在沙发上睡觉。
wǒ de māo zài shāfā shàng shuìjiào.
My cat is sleeping on the sofa.
他不在办公室，可能出去了。
tā bù zài bàngōngshì, kěnéng chūqù le.
He's not in the office; he probably went out.
你的钥匙在桌子上呢。
nǐ de yàoshi zài zhuōzi shàng ne.
Your keys are on the table.
Similar Grammar
- Expressing location or scope with 在 (zài)
- Expressing location with 在 (zài)
- Expressing location with 位于 (wèiyú)
- Using 存在 (cúnzài) to express "to exist"
- Using 处于 (chǔyú) to express "to be in a state of"
- Describing something as 'located' with 坐落 (zuòluò)
- Expressing 'being in a state' with 处在 (chǔzài)
- Expressing 'to live at' a place with 住在 (zhùzài)