在
/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/
The English word 'at' is translated to Chinese as 在.
在 is used to indicate that someone or something is in or very near a particular place. For example, 我在图书馆 means 'I am at the library'. In informal digital communication, the symbol '@' is used to indicate 'at' someone or someplace.
Meaning: in or very near a particular place (prep)
Which one should you use?
While English uses different prepositions like 'at', 'in' and 'on' to specify location, Chinese often uses 在 for all three depending on the context of the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a verb, 在 functions as the copula 'to be at/in/on' to indicate location. In a sentence describing an action occurring at a location, the structure is typically [Subject] + 在 + [Location] + [Verb].
How do you pronounce it?
/tsaɪ̯⁵¹/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly place the location at the end of the sentence, but in Chinese, the location phrase using 在 must come before the verb.
Did you know?
- Beyond location, 在 is used to indicate a continuous action, similar to the English 'ing' form. For example, 我在吃饭 means 'I am eating'.
- In some contexts, the word 在 is used in the phrase 在世, which means 'alive' or 'still in the world'.
- The character 在 was historically linked to the idea of being 'planted' in a spot, much like the word 栽 which means 'to plant'.
Examples in context
- 你在家里吗？Are you at home?This example uses 在 to ask if someone is at home.Tatoeba #406192 by GlossaMatik, translation #405500 by CK
- 我坐在桌旁。I am sitting at the table.This example uses 在 to describe sitting at a table.Tatoeba #1417561 by sadhen, translation #3432408 by kerbear407
- 有人在門口。Someone is at the door.This example uses 在 to state someone is at the door.Tatoeba #3701722 by egg0073, translation #40433 by CK
- 我在学校。I am at the school.
- 他在酒店工作。He works at the hotel.
- 我在公司里工作。I work at the company.
- 他在客厅里看电视。He is watching TV in the living room.
- 988 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
志强 and 雨婷 are talking on the phone about meeting up.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你在哪儿？Yǔtíng, nǐ zài nǎ'er?Yuting, where are you?
- 雨婷 Yuting我在书店。Wǒ zài shūdiàn.I am at the bookstore.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也在书店附近。Wǒ yě zài shūdiàn fùjìn.I am also near the bookstore.
- 雨婷 Yuting那我们门口见吧。Nà wǒmen ménkǒu jiàn ba.Then let's meet at the entrance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “at” translations and entries 在, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 在, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
