在
to be (located) at, in or on a place
Structure
人／东西 + 在 + 地点 · 人／东西 + 不在 + 地点
What it means
在 is the verb “to be (somewhere)”: it says where a person or thing is.
How it is built
Person/thing + 在 + place: 我妈妈在家 (My mum is at home). 你的手机在桌子上 (Your phone is on the table). Negative: 不在: 爸爸不在家.
When to use it
The person or thing comes first, the place after 在. On its own, 在 means “to be in, to be around”: 王明在吗？——不在。 (Is Wang Ming in? — No.)
Watch out
在 is already the verb, so no 是: ✗ 手机是包里 ✓ 手机在包里.
Examples
我妈妈在家，爸爸不在家。
My mum is at home; my dad isn’t.
你的手机在桌子上。
Your phone is on the table.
“王明在吗？”“不在。”
“Is Wang Ming in?” “No, he isn’t.”
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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