VividHanzi · Dictionary

在 zài

HSK 1 character · 6 strokes · radical 土

Meanings

• to exist; to be alive
• (of sb or sth) to be (located) at
• (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress)

Words with 在

• 现在 xiàn zài: now; at present; currently
• 在 zài: to exist; to be alive
• 正在 zhèng zài: to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing
• 实在 shí zài: really

Grammar: Actions in progress with 在

Subject + (正)在 + Verb

在 before a verb says the action is going on right now, like English "-ing". 正在 means the same with more stress on "at this very moment". When 在 is followed by a place instead, it says where the action happens.

Grammar: Where something happens: 在 + place

Subject + 在 + Place + Verb

In Chinese the place where something happens goes before the verb, introduced by 在: "I at the bank work". Places like 椅子上 or 家里 add a position word (上, 里) after the noun.

Example sentences

我在家。
I am at home.
Tatoeba #336238 by fucongcong (CC BY 2.0 FR)

现在呢？
And now?
Tatoeba #397575 by GlossaMatik (CC BY 2.0 FR)

这里，现在。
Here and now.
Tatoeba #818934 by fucongcong (CC BY 2.0 FR)

Meanings and readings from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0).