Meaning
(located) at; in; exist
Chinese: 表示存在、位置或正在进行。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “zai” becomes a different word in each tone. 在 is the 4th tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 现在xiàn zàinow; at present; currently
- 正在zhèng zàito be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing
- 在家zài jiāto be at home; (at a workplace) to be in; (Buddhism etc) to remain a layman
- 实在shí zàireally; actually; indeed; true
- 存在cún zàito exist; to be; existence
Example Sentence
妈妈在厨房里做饭。Mā ma zài chú fáng lǐ zuò fàn.Mom is cooking in the kitchen.
妈妈Mā mamama在zàiat厨房chú fángkitchen里lǐinside做饭zuò fànto prepare a meal。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
才 (a sprout breaking ground) plus 土 (earth): something present on the ground — ‘to exist, to be located at’; also the progressive marker (正在做).
A way to remember it
Rooted in the earth (土) — to exist, to be at.