HSK · Level 65
90 words
Chinese word
在于
Pronunciation
Pinyinzài yú
Meaning
- verblie in
Example
问题在于我们没有足够的时间。wèn tí zài yú wǒ men méi yǒu zú gòu de shí jiān
The problem lies in the fact that we do not have enough time.
More examples
成功在于每天坚持学习。chéng gōng zài yú měi tiān jiān chí xué xí
Success lies in studying every day and sticking with it.
Core concept
A problem or result has its determining basis in one person, thing, or condition.
Common phrases
问题在于wèn tí zài yú
the problem lies in
关键在于guān jiàn zài yú
the key lies in
成功在于chéng gōng zài yú
success lies in
Similar words
取决于qǔ jué yú: Being determined by a particular condition or factor.
有关yǒu guān: Having a connection with a particular person, thing, or matter.
关系到guān xì dào: Affecting a particular person, thing, or matter.
Definition in Chinese
表示事物的原因、关键或所在，意思是“在……之中”或“归因于”，常用于指出问题、本质或决定因素。biǎo shì shì wù de yuán yīn guān jiàn huò suǒ zài yì si shì zài zhī zhōng huò guī yīn yú cháng yòng yú zhǐ chū wèn tí běn zhì huò jué dìng yīn sù
Word origin
在于 (zàiyú, "lie in") joins 在 (zài, "be in") and 于 (yú, "in/to"), so the phrase presents the decisive point as being within a particular factor.
Usage tips
- The phrase often introduces a noun or clause after it, making it useful for stating what explains a problem or decides an outcome in conversation.
Other meanings
- rely onverb