在 transcribed zài is one of the most commonly used words in Mandarin, and it can be used as a to indicate locations and times or as a to express actions in progress or to indicate the existence of being in a place.
Example 1
- 我在教室看书。Transcription: Wǒ zài jiàoshì kànshū.Translation: I am reading in the classroom.
Example 2
- 他在早上游泳。Transcription: Tā zài zǎoshang yóuyǒng.Translation: He swims in the morning.
Example 3
- 妈妈在做饭。Transcription: Māma zài zuòfàn.Translation: Mom is cooking.
Example 4
- 今天老板在公司吗？Transcription: Jīntiān lǎobǎn zài gōngsī ma?Translation: Is the boss in the company today?
In examples 1 and 2 above, 在 transcribed zài is used as a preposition to express location (在教室 transcribed zài jiàoshìmeaning in the classroom) and time (在早上 transcribed zài zǎoshangmeaning in the morning). In examples 3 and 4, 在 transcribed zài is used as a verb to express the action in progress (在做饭 transcribed zài zuòfànmeaning is cooking) and the existence in a place (在公司 transcribed zài gōngsīmeaning is in the company).
After reading this post, you will find out more details on how to use 在 transcribed zài as a preposition form, as well as a verb form. Let’s go!
How to use 在 (zài) as a preposition in Mandarin Chinese?
When 在 transcribed zài is used as a preposition, it is often followed by a location or a time to indicate where and/or when an action takes place. It is the equivalent of “in, at, on” in English. 在 together with the location or time form what is called “prepositional phrase.”
When to use 在 (zài) with a prepositional phrase before the verb?
Preposition 在 transcribed zài is followed by a location or time phrase, and it is always placed after the subject and before the verb. In a negative sentence, we simply add 不 transcribed bù, 没 transcribed méi or 别 transcribed bié before the 在 transcribed zài phrase. Let’s look at the following examples:
- 我姐姐在上海工作。Transcription: Wǒ jiějie zài shànghǎi gōngzuò.Translation: My older sister works in Shanghai.
- 他不在晚上上班。Transcription: Tā bù zài wǎnshang shàngbān.Translation: He doesn’t work at night.
- 你们别在这家中餐馆吃饺子。Transcription: Nǐmen bié zài zhèjiā zhōngcānguǎn chī jiǎozi.Translation: Don’t eat dumplings in that Chinese restaurant.
When a modal or mental verb in Mandarin Chinese, such as 想 transcribed xiǎngmeaning want to, 愿意 transcribed yuànyìmeaning be willing to, 能 transcribed néngmeaning can, 可以 transcribed kěyǐmeaning be allowed to, or 该 transcribed gāimeaning should is used, then the prepositional 在 transcribed zài phrase is like below. Please note that in this case only the negative adverb 不 transcribed bù can be used.
- 他们想在图书馆看书。Transcription: Tāmen xiǎng zài túshūguǎn kàn shū.Translation: They want to read books in the library.
- 你们不应该在半夜大吼大叫。Transcription: Nǐmen bù yīnggāi zài bànyè dàhǒudàjiào.Translation: You should not scream at midnight.
When to use 在 (zài) with a prepositional phrase after the verb?
There are some verbs that carry the meaning of certain movements, such as 放 transcribed fàngmeaning to put, or of locations, like 住 transcribed zhùmeaning to live, 坐 transcribed zuòmeaning to sit, and 站 transcribed zhànmeaning to stand, and these can also go with a 在 transcribed zài phrase. However, the sentence order changes in these cases and the 在 transcribed zài phrase is placed after the verb.
Have you noticed that in this pattern, when the 在 transcribed zài phrase is used with these certain verbs
(放 transcribed fàngmeaning to put, 住 transcribed zhùmeaning to live, 坐 transcribed zuòmeaning to sit, 站 transcribed zhànmeaning to stand), 在 transcribed zài is used in the following constructions:
- 在...里 transcribed zài... lǐmeaning in
- 在...上 transcribed zài... shàngmeaning on
- 在...下 transcribed zài... xiàmeaning under
- 在...中间 transcribed zài... zhōngjiānmeaning in
These constructions can express a literal meaning, as well as an extended meaning. Check out our post on prepositional phrases in Mandarin Chinese to learn more about these constructions.
How to use 在 (zài) as a verb in Mandarin Chinese?
在 transcribed zài is also a verb, and it can be used to indicate existence in a place or an action in progress. Let’s explore.
How to use 在 (zài) to express existence in a place?
在 transcribed zài is used to express existence in a place, conveying the meaning of “be in/at/on…” Look at this example:
- 我在学校 。Transcription: Wǒ zài xuéxiào.Translation: I am at school.
We can see the basic pattern is: subject + 在 transcribed zài + location. 在 transcribed zài is the only verb needed here. In a negation, we add 不 transcribed bùmeaning not / 没 transcribed méimeaning not before the verb 在 transcribed zài.
- 妈妈今天在家。Transcription: Māma jīntian zài jiā.Translation: Mom is at home today.
- 我这个星期三不在办公室。Transcription: Wǒ zhège xīngqī sān bú zài bàngōngshì.Translation: I am not in the office this Wednesday.
- 老板现在在公司吗？Transcription: Lǎobǎn xiànzài zài gōngsī ma?Translation: Is the boss in the company now?
How to use 在 (zài) to express an action in progress?
在 transcribed zài can be used as an , and it is often placed before an action verb to indicate an action that is in process or is happening. This way, it is equivalent to a continuous tense in English.
Sometimes in a affirmative sentence, 在 transcribed zài is also used as 正在 transcribed zhèngzài which is more formal than 在 transcribed zài. As for negation, 正在 transcribed zhèngzài is not used. We add 没 transcribed méimeaning not or 不 transcribed bùmeaning not before the auxiliary verb 在 transcribed zài. 没 transcribed méimeaning not is more commonly used, though.
- 我在 / 正在看书。Transcription: Wǒ zài / zhèngzài kàn shū.Translation: I am reading.
- 他没 / 不在做作业。Transcription: Tā méi / bù zài zuò zuòyè.Translation: He is not doing homework.
- 你们在 / 正在上课吗？Transcription: Nǐmen zài / zhèngzài shàng kè ma?Translation: Are you having class?
In another post, we discussed a highly functional particle word 呢 transcribed ne. In this present progressive, or continuous, tense using 在 transcribed zài / 正在 transcribed zhèngzài, this pattern can be used with a less formal and shorter pattern by adding 呢 transcribed ne at the end of the sentence.
How to use 在 (zài) as both a preposition and a verb in Mandarin Chinese?
When a verb with 在 transcribed zài expressing an action in progress and the preposition 在 transcribed zài are needed in a sentence, only the preposition 在 transcribed zài is used.
Let’s suppose we need to say this in Mandarin: “I am reading in the library.” Have you noticed that in this sentence, there is an action in progress (“am reading”) which is the equivalent of 在 transcribed zài expressing a present progressive, or continuous, tense. In addition, there is also a prepositional phrase (“in the library”), which requires the preposition 在 transcribed zài followed by a location.
In the case of a sentence like the one above, only the preposition 在 transcribed zài is used. As we discussed earlier about 在 transcribed zài as a preposition, the same pattern is used: place the 在 transcribed zài + location (in the library) after the subject (I) and before the verb (read). In a negative sentence, we add 没 transcribed méimeaning not or 不 transcribed bùmeaning not before the preposition phrase 在 transcribed zài + location. Even though the same pattern is applied here, the meaning of the sentence will focus more on the action in progress. To avoid ambiguity, you can add a time phrase in the beginning of the sentence, but it is not obligatory.
Here’s the formula:
- 现在她没 / 不在厨房做饭。Transcription: Xiànzài tā méi / bù zài chúfáng zuò fàn.Translation: She is not cooking in the kitchen right now.
- 今早我在办公室打电话。Transcription: Jīnzǎo wǒ zài bàngōngshì dǎ diànhuà.Translation: I was making a phone call in the office this morning.
- 我在咖啡馆等你呢。Transcription: Wǒ zài kāfēiguǎn děng nǐ ne.Translation: I am waiting for you in the cafe.
To sum up
在 transcribed zài is used as a preposition to express locations or times (the equivalent of “in/at/on” in English) and as a verb to indicate existence in a place (be in/at) or an action in progress.
When 在 transcribed zài is a preposition:
- 他爸爸在中国教书。Transcription: Tā bàba zài zhōngguó jiāoshū.Translation: His dad teaches in China.
- 我坐在树荫下。Transcription: Wǒ zuò zài shùyīn xià.Translation: I sit under the tree shade.
- 他们不想住在农村。Transcription: Tāmen bùxiǎng zhù zài nóngcūn.Translation: They don't want to live in the countryside.
When 在 transcribed zài is used as a verb to indicate existence in a place (be in/at):
- 今天妈妈不在家。Transcription: Jīntiān māma bù zài jiā.Translation: Mom is not home today.
- 你们在咖啡馆吗？Transcription: Nǐmen zài kāfēiguǎn ma?Translation: Are you in the cafe?
When 在 transcribed zài is used as a verb for an action in progress:
- 你们在吃晚饭吗？Transcription: Nǐmen zài chī wǎnfàn ma?Translation: Are you having dinner?
- 他们没在看电视。Transcription: Tāmen méi zài kàn diànshì.Translation: They are not watching TV.
When 在 transcribed zài functions as a verb, as well as a preposition:
- 今早我没在学校上课。Transcription: Jīnzǎo wǒ méi zài xuéxiào shàngkè.Translation: I was not having classes at school this morning.
- 这个月哥哥在美国度假。Transcription: Zhège yuè gēge zài měiguó dùjià.Translation: (My) older brother is having a vacation in the US this month.
Do you want to practice using 在 transcribed zài with our exercises?
