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Indicating location with 在 ("zai4") before verbs

在 zài

Verb
HSK 2

Structure

Subj. + 在 + Place + Verb + Obj.

Translations

  • in
  • at

Definition

在（zài）放在动词前，表示动作发生或状态存在的处所。

The preposition 在 (zài) is placed before a verb to indicate the location where an action takes place or a state exists.

Usage

在 + 地点 + 动词，表示动作发生的地点。注意：在引导的地点短语一定要放在动词前面。

Structure: 在 + location + verb. It indicates the location where the action occurs. Note that the location phrase introduced by 在 must be placed before the verb.

Examples

  • 1 他在图书馆看书。 (He is reading in the library.)
  • 2 我在公司工作。 (I work at the company.)
  • 3 他们在操场跑步。 (They are running on the playground.)
  • 4 妈妈在厨房做饭。 (Mom is cooking in the kitchen.)
  • 5 我们在北京见面。 (We met in Beijing.)
  • 6 她在床上睡觉。 (She sleeps on the bed.)

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