Benny's Blog

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!

Views (5798)   Replies (5)  

Latest Responses to this Blog

cavallera

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
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!!!

Reply  
sunnyliu

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
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

Reply  
benny

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
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
To : sunnyliu

Thanks Lisa.

Cheers!

Benny



Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin from AskBenny

Reply  
Responses Owner
 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

Reply  
Luke1978

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2013-04-26
Language : English
Posts : 0
Responses : 2
Comments : 3
 Luke yahoo.com.au 
2013-07-06 / 03:27PM

谢谢你帮助我。

Reply  

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