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How to express location with 在 (zài) and 上/下/里/旁边

在 (zài) + Place + 上 (shàng) / 下 (xià) / 里 (lǐ) / 旁边 (pángbiān)

Expressing location with "在 (zài) … 上 (shàng)/下 (xià)/里 (lǐ)"

HSK 4Sentence Patterns

Rule structure

在 (zài)…上 (shàng)/下 (xià)/里 (lǐ) are basic location structures: "on, under, inside".

Examples

书在桌子上。

Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.

The book is on the table.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing location with "在 (zài) … 上 (shàng)/下 (xià)/里 (lǐ)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 在 (zài) + Place + 上 (shàng) / 下 (xià) / 里 (lǐ) / 旁边 (pángbiān). For example: 书在桌子上。 — “The book is on the table.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

书在桌子上。 — “The book is on the table.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

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连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

Explaining purpose with "为 (wèi) … 而 (ér) …"

为 (wèi) + Purpose + 而 (ér) + Action

Using "以 (yǐ) … 为 (wèi) …"

以 (yǐ) + Noun 1 + 为 (wèi) + Noun 2

Emphasizing a negation with "并 (bìng)"

并 (bìng) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.

Expressing "any" with "任何 (rènhé)"

任何 (rènhé) + Noun + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)…

Expressing "both… and…" with "既 (jì) … 又 (yòu) …"

既 (jì)⋯⋯也 (yě) / 又 (yòu)⋯⋯

Indicating the whole with "全 (quán)"

全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun

Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree