Chinese verb · state · first needed at beginner level (A1)
住
zhù
to live, to stay
Usually (zhù zài) + place: (wǒ zhù zài Běijīng). It also means to stay somewhere for a while: (zhù jiǔdiàn), (zhù sān tiān).
Speed:
Basic
基本
Where someone lives. Negative: (bú zhù).
| affirmative | 我住在北京。Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不住在这儿。Wǒ bú zhù zài zhèr. | |
| question | 你住在哪儿？Nǐ zhù zài nǎr? |
Completed
了
+ length of time; with a second 了 at the end it's still going on.
| affirmative | 我在这儿住了三年了。Wǒ zài zhèr zhùle sān nián le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我们没住酒店。Wǒmen méi zhù jiǔdiàn. | |
| question | 你们住了几天？Nǐmen zhùle jǐ tiān? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我在上海住过两年。Wǒ zài Shànghǎi zhùguo liǎng nián. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在上海住过。Wǒ méi zài Shànghǎi zhùguo. | |
| question | 你在上海住过吗？Nǐ zài Shànghǎi zhùguo ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
: where or how long you're going to stay. To say you won't, use .
| affirmative | 我要在朋友家住几天。Wǒ yào zài péngyou jiā zhù jǐ tiān. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我们不住酒店。Wǒmen bú zhù jiǔdiàn. | |
| question | 您要住几天？Nín yào zhù jǐ tiān? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
: how many people a room takes. (zhù bu xià): not enough room.
| affirmative | 这个房间能住三个人。Zhège fángjiān néng zhù sān ge rén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 这个房间不能住三个人。Zhège fángjiān bù néng zhù sān ge rén. | |
| question | 这个房间能住几个人？Zhège fángjiān néng zhù jǐ ge rén? | |
| can't | 这个房间住不下三个人。Zhège fángjiān zhù bu xià sān ge rén. |
Examples
- 我住在学校附近。Wǒ zhù zài xuéxiào fùjìn.I live near the school.
- 你住几号房间？Nǐ zhù jǐ hào fángjiān?What's your room number?
- 他们住在一起。Tāmen zhù zài yìqǐ.They live together.