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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "at" or "on" for time and location with 于 (yú)

    Location & Position
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Verb + 于 + Time/Place

    Explanation

    于 (yú) means "at," "on," or "in," and is used in formal or written Chinese to indicate a specific time or location. It is more literary than 在 and is commonly found in news reports, official documents, and formal announcements.

    Examples

    • 会议于上午九点正式开始。

      Huìyì yú shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn zhèngshì kāishǐ.

      The meeting officially began at nine o'clock in the morning.

    • 这座桥建于一九八五年。

      Zhè zuò qiáo jiàn yú yī jiǔ bā wǔ nián.

      This bridge was built in 1985.

    • 他于去年毕业于北京大学。

      Tā yú qùnián bìyè yú Běijīng Dàxué.

      He graduated from Peking University last year.

    Expressing "at" or "on" for time and location with 于 (yú) | Chinese Grammar