时间 + 在 + 地点 + 动词
when, then where, then what you do
Structure
主语 + 时间 + 在 + 地点 + 动词（+ 宾语） · 时间 + 主语 + 在 + 地点 + 动词
What it means
When you say both when and where, both go before the verb: time first, then place, then the action.
How it is built
Subject + time + 在 + place + verb: 我上午在家学习 (I study at home in the morning). The time can also start the sentence: 上午我在家学习.
When to use it
English puts time and place at the end; Chinese puts them before the verb. Only a few verbs, such as 住, take 在 + place after them: 我住在北京.
Watch out
✗ 我学习在家。 ✓ 我在家学习。 Keep the order: time, then 在 + place, then the verb.
Examples
我明天上午在家学中文。
I’m studying Chinese at home tomorrow morning.
今天晚上我们在饭馆吃饭。
We’re eating at a restaurant this evening.
大卫现在在车上看书。
David is reading on the train right now.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 13: 坐火车去上海 (Train or plane?)
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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