上 · 下 · 里 · 外 · 前 · 后（+ 边）
on · under · in · outside · in front of · behind
Structure
名词 + 上／下／里／外／前／后 （+ 边 ）
What it means
Location words such as 上 on, 下 under, 里 in, 外 outside, 前 in front, 后 behind go after the thing, not before it as in English.
How it is built
Thing + 上/下/里/外/前/后 (+ 边): 桌子上 (on the table), 包里 (in the bag). 猫在椅子下边 (The cat is under the chair).
When to use it
With 边 the word can stand alone: 里边 inside, 外边 outside. Countries, cities and 家 are already places and need nothing: 在中国, 在北京, 在家.
Watch out
A thing is not a place, so add a location word: ✗ 手机在桌子 ✓ 手机在桌子上. But a place needs none: ✗ 在中国里 ✓ 在中国.
Examples
猫在椅子下边。
The cat is under the chair.
你的书在包里。
Your book is in your bag.
王明在门外边。
Wang Ming is outside the door.
我在你后边。
I’m behind you.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 6: 我的手机在哪儿 (Where is it?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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