Chinese word

我在

Pronunciation

Pinyinwǒ zài

Meaning

  • verbbe at

Example

我在家里。wǒ zài jiā lǐ

I am at home.

Illustration for 我在 (be at)

More examples

我在公司开会。wǒ zài gōng sī kāi huì

I am having a meeting at the office.

Core concept

The speaker is present in a place or engaged in an activity there.

Common phrases

  • 我在家里wǒ zài jiā lǐ

    be at home

  • 我在公司wǒ zài gōng sī

    be at the office

  • 我在吃饭wǒ zài chī fàn

    be eating

  • 我在学习wǒ zài xué xí

    be studying

Similar words

在zài: Expresses being at a particular place.
到dào: Describes going to and reaching a particular place.
来lái: Describes moving toward the speaker.
去qù: Describes going away from the speaker to another place.

Definition in Chinese

用来说明说话者在某个地点，或说明说话者在该地点从事某项活动，后面可接地点或动词短语。yòng lái shuō míng shuō huà zhě zài mǒu gè dì diǎn huò shuō míng shuō huà zhě zài gāi dì diǎn cóng shì mǒu xiàng huó dòng hòu miàn kě jiē dì diǎn huò dòng cí duán yǔ

Word origin

我 (wǒ, "I") + 在 (zài, "be at") places the speaker before either a location or an activity, covering presence and an action in progress.

Usage tips

  • English uses different forms after "be" for location and ongoing action, while Chinese can use the same opening for both, so the following phrase determines the meaning.

Opposites

Word lists with this word