How to use “zài” in learning Chinese.
When people are learning Chinese, there is a word that always confuses them and recently I have been asked a couple of times for how to use this word properly on scrapbook. Therefore I think it is necessary to explain it in details here.
Basically, "zài 在 = to be in/ at". Normally, we use it with the word "nǎli 哪里 = where". or it is used to indicate a location. Here are some examples.
1. nǐ zài nǎli = where are you?
Benny zài nǎli? = Where is Benny?
Here "zài nǎli means "where is/ where are"
2. Benny zài Beijing ma? = Is Benny in Beijing?
Benny bú zài Beijing. = Benny is not in Beijing.
Wǒ zài Shanghai. = I am in Shanghai.
As you can see, the above usages are the most common ways of using "zài在". However, "zài在" has another important usage which is used to indicate the present tense. The structure is: "zài在 + verb = Be doing something". In this case, "zài在" is not a preposition anymore. Let me give some sentences so you can understand completely.
1. wǒ zài kàn DVD = I am watching DVD.
2. nǐ zài gōng zuò ma? = Are you working?
3. wǒ zài chī fàn = I am eating.
4. Nǐ zài zuò shén me? = What are you doing now?
Please notice that in Chinese we have another "zài再", it has exactly the same pronunciation but different meaning and characters as to this "zài 在".
In Chinese, you can see "zài再" from "再见 = goodbye" or it means “again". It could be used in this way:
1. zài shuō yí biàn = say it again.
2. zài lái yì bēi kā fēi = one more cup of coffee.
3. wǒ huì zài lái = I will come again.
I believe today's blog can definitely clear the confusions about how to use "zài". For further questions or discussions, please put your comment on my blog.
Have a nice day! y!
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Chinese Mandarin : Registered on : 2010-07-21 Language : English, French Posts : 0 Responses : 1 Comments : 0 |
| | cavallera aol.com
2010-07-21 / 11:43AM | | Thank you. This is very helpful. Keep up the good work. Great site!!! | |
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Chinese Mandarin : Registered on : 2010-08-16 Language : English, Mandarin Chinese Posts : 0 Responses : 5 Comments : 1 |
| | sunnyliu gmail.com
2011-02-19 / 01:07AM | | Benny,
Big thanks to you! Very helpful to a beginner mandarin teacher like me!
Cheers! Keep up the good work.
Lisa | |
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Chinese Mandarin : Registered on : 2007-01-01 Language : English, Mandarin Chinese Posts : 0 Responses : 2359 Comments : 75 |
| | Benny the Mandarin Teacher askbenny.net
2011-02-19 / 09:44AM | | Benny,
Big thanks to you! Very helpful to a beginner mandarin teacher like me!
Cheers! Keep up the good work.
Lisa Thanks Lisa.
Cheers!
Benny
Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin from AskBenny | |
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| | Sandra sibfordschool.co.uk
2012-10-22 / 02:56PM | | You made some wonderful poitns in this post. I’ve done a lot of searching on the topic and think most people will agree with your blog. Thanks, Toni Nunez | |
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Chinese Mandarin :Registered on : 2013-04-26 Language : English Posts : 0 Responses : 2 Comments : 3 |
| | Luke yahoo.com.au
2013-07-06 / 03:27PM | | | |
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