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在 (zài): where something is or happens

在 + place says where: 我在家 "I am at home", 他在学校学习 "he studies at school".

As a verb, 在 means "to be located at": 书在桌子上.

Before another verb, 在 + place says where the action happens. The place comes before the action, unlike English.

Negate with 不: 他不在家 "he is not home".

Pattern: Subject + 在 + place (+ verb)

Practice this lesson

Updated October 21, 2026

Examples

• 妈妈在家。 Māma zài jiā.
  Mom is at home.
• 我在北京工作。 Wǒ zài Běijīng gōngzuò.
  I work in Beijing.

In real sentences

• 我在。
  I am here.
  Tatoeba: Ivan24
• 话在嘴边
  It's on the tip of my tongue.
  Tatoeba: zhouj1955
• 在下雨。
  It is raining.
  Tatoeba: egg0073
• 你在吗？
  Are you there?
  Tatoeba: GlossaMatik
• 他在拖。
  He is towing.
  Tatoeba: fucongcong
• 他不在。
  He is not here.
  Tatoeba: etala

Before this lesson

This unlocks after: HSK 1 Actions 1, The four tones.

← 有 (yǒu): "to have" and "there is"是 (shì): saying "A is B" →