Chinese verb · state · first needed at beginner level (A1)
在
zài
to be (at a place)
Says where someone or something is: + place ( (wǒ zài jiā)); negative (bú zài). Also before a verb for where something happens ( (wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò)) and for actions in progress ( (wǒ zài chīfàn)).
Speed:
Basic
基本
Where someone or something is. Negative: (bú zài).
| affirmative | 我在家。Wǒ zài jiā. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 他不在家。Tā bú zài jiā. | |
| question | 你在哪儿？Nǐ zài nǎr? |
Completed
了
了 at the end: someone is there now, or no longer there.
| affirmative | 我已经在机场了。Wǒ yǐjīng zài jīchǎng le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 他已经不在公司了。Tā yǐjīng bú zài gōngsī le. | |
| question | 你已经在机场了吗？Nǐ yǐjīng zài jīchǎng le ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
(huì zài): where someone will be.
| affirmative | 明天我会在家。Míngtiān wǒ huì zài jiā. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 下午我不会在办公室。Xiàwǔ wǒ bú huì zài bàngōngshì. | |
| question | 明天你会在家吗？Míngtiān nǐ huì zài jiā ma? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
(néng zài): whether someone can be somewhere, e.g. to arrange a delivery.
| affirmative | 明天下午我能在家。Míngtiān xiàwǔ wǒ néng zài jiā. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 明天下午我不能在家。Míngtiān xiàwǔ wǒ bù néng zài jiā. | |
| question | 明天下午你能在家吗？Míngtiān xiàwǔ nǐ néng zài jiā ma? |
Examples
- 银行在哪儿？Yínháng zài nǎr?Where is the bank?
- 洗手间在那儿。Xǐshǒujiān zài nàr.The toilet is over there.
- 我在银行工作。Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò.I work at a bank.