在 zài

  1. zài verb in; at
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语 , Subdomain: Function Words
    Notes: This sense of 在 indicates the location of the subject (NCCED '在' 2). For example, 祥子蹲在烤旁 'Xiangzi squatted besides the stove.'（Lao She, 2003, p. 216) In this example, the verb 蹲 'squat' precedes 在 but in some cases it may follow 在 after the location referred to. For example, 孩子...在院里玩耍... 'the child was in the courtyard playing.'（Lao She, 2003, p. 220) 在 is the seventh most frequently used word in the Beijing Language Institute's 1985 frequency wordlist (Ho 2002, '在').
  2. zài preposition at
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语
    Notes: In this sense, 在 helps to indicate time, place, direction or scope (Li Shaoqi, 2003, pp. 404-407; NCCED '在' 6) 1. Time: 在 may be placed before a verb, adjective, or the subject to introduce time. For example, 世卫组织表示将在十一月发布建议 'The World Health Organization said that they would publish a recommendation in November.' 2. Place. For example, 火箭在距发射台约九公里处 'when the rocket was at a location approximately 90 kilometers from the launch pad.' (VOA, 2015-12-23) 3. Scope. For example, 总统在演讲中... 'while the president was giving a speech ...' (VOA, 2007-7-5)
  3. zài adverb when; indicates that someone or something is in the process of doing something
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语 , Subdomain: Function Words
    Notes: (Li Shaoqi, 2003, p. 224; NCCED '在' 5; Ho 2002, '在' 3) For example, 科学家们一直在探寻... 'Scientists have been continuously searching ...' (VOA, 2015-07-25)
  4. zài verb to exist; to be living
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语
    Notes: (NCCED '在' 5; Ho 2002, '在' 2)
  5. zài verb to consist of
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语
    Notes: (NCCED '在' 5)
  6. zài verb to be at a post
    Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语
    Notes: (NCCED '在' 5)

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Also contained in

青颈观自在菩萨 、 美国在线 、 自在主

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