How to use 在
在 + Place
Use 在 to state where a person or thing is located. Start with the subject, then 在, then the location. In this pattern 在 does the work that English divides between “be” and a location word, so an additional 是 is not needed to complete the statement.
A location may be a named city, a building, or a position such as outside or upstairs. Put 不 before 在 to say the subject is absent from that place. A time word can make clear whether the location applies now or at another time. This pattern locates an identified subject; introducing what exists in a place commonly uses 有 instead.
Examples with pinyin and English
我在上海。
I'm in Shanghai.
他们在英国。
They're in England.
老板在外面。
The boss is outside.
他不在学校。
He's not at school.
What to remember
- Use subject plus 在 plus location.
- Negate this location statement with 不.
- Choose 有 when introducing something's existence.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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