Traditional Chinese Coverbs & Prepositions

主題：介詞與介動詞（Coverbs）｜Learn the words that glue your sentences together (without the grammar headache).

You’ll learn Traditional Chinese coverbs/prepositions with characters, pinyin (tone marks), clear meanings, and real sentences. Tap the speaker buttons to hear the Hanzi.

In Chinese, lots of “prepositions” behave like mini-verbs (coverbs). The good news: you don’t need a linguistics degree—just a few patterns you can reuse all day.

Yak Snark

If English prepositions are a messy junk drawer, Chinese coverbs are more like labeled boxes. Still boxes. Still too many. But at least they stack nicely.

Quick-use cards

These eight show up everywhere. Learn them first and your sentences instantly look less… improvised.

在

zài

at / in / on

我在家工作。

Wǒ zài jiā gōngzuò.

I work at home.

到

dào

to / arrive at

我到公司以後再回你。

Wǒ dào gōngsī yǐhòu zài huí nǐ.

I’ll reply after I get to the office.

從

cóng

from

他從台北來。

Tā cóng Táiběi lái.

He comes from Taipei.

跟

gēn

with

我跟朋友喝咖啡。

Wǒ gēn péngyǒu hē kāfēi.

I drink coffee with friends.

對

duì

toward / regarding

我對這個提案有興趣。

Wǒ duì zhège tí’àn yǒu xìngqù.

I’m interested in this proposal.

給

gěi

to / for (recipient)

請給我一杯水。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.

Please give me a glass of water.

用

yòng

use / with (a tool)

我用手機付錢。

Wǒ yòng shǒujī fù qián.

I pay with my phone.

把

bǎ

disposal pattern (object first)

把門關上。

Bǎ mén guān shàng.

Close the door.

Real-life phrases and sentence patterns

These are the “copy-paste” frames you’ll actually say. Learn a few, then swap the nouns.

在 + 地方 + 做事

zài + dìfāng + zuò shì

do something at a place

我在咖啡店讀書。

Wǒ zài kāfēidiàn dúshū.

I study at a café.

從 A 到 B

cóng A dào B

from A to B

從台北到高雄坐高鐵很快。

Cóng Táiběi dào Gāoxióng zuò gāotiě hěn kuài.

It’s fast to take the HSR from Taipei to Kaohsiung.

往 / 向 + 方向 + 走

wǎng / xiàng + fāngxiàng + zǒu

walk toward a direction

出站以後往右走。

Chū zhàn yǐhòu wǎng yòu zǒu.

After you exit the station, walk right.

跟 / 和 + 人 + 一起

gēn / hé + rén + yìqǐ

together with someone

我想跟你一起去。

Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù.

I want to go with you.

給 + 人 + 東西 / 服務

gěi + rén + dōngxī / fúwù

give / do something for someone

可以給我看看菜單嗎？

Kěyǐ gěi wǒ kànkan càidān ma?

Could you show me the menu?

對 + 人 + 說

duì + rén + shuō

say something to someone

記得對他說謝謝。

Jìdé duì tā shuō xièxie.

Remember to say thank you to him.

用 + 工具 + 做

yòng + gōngjù + zuò

do something using a tool

他用筷子吃麵。

Tā yòng kuàizi chī miàn.

He eats noodles with chopsticks.

以 + 名詞 + 來說

yǐ + míngcí + lái shuō

speaking in terms of…

以價格來說，這家很划算。

Yǐ jiàgé lái shuō, zhè jiā hěn huásuàn.

Price-wise, this place is a good deal.

為了 + 目的 + 做

wèile + mùdì + zuò

in order to…

我為了考試每天讀書。

Wǒ wèile kǎoshì měitiān dúshū.

I study every day for the exam.

依照 / 按照 + 規則

yīzhào / ànzhào + guīzé

according to rules/instructions

請按照說明操作。

Qǐng ànzhào shuōmíng cāozuò.

Please follow the instructions.

關於 / 對於 + 話題

guānyú / duìyú + huàtí

about / regarding a topic

關於這件事，我們明天再談。

Guānyú zhè jiàn shì, wǒmen míngtiān zài tán.

About this matter, let’s talk tomorrow.

比 + 對象 + 更 / 還

bǐ + duìxiàng + gèng / hái

comparison: more than…

今天比昨天更冷。

Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng lěng.

Today is colder than yesterday.

把 + 物品 + 放 / 變成…

bǎ + wùpǐn + fàng / biànchéng…

put the object first (result matters)

請把手機關掉。

Qǐng bǎ shǒujī guān diào.

Please turn off your phone.

被 + 人 + 動作

bèi + rén + dòngzuò

passive: be (done) by…

我被雨淋到了。

Wǒ bèi yǔ lín dào le.

I got rained on.

透過 / 經由 + 管道

tòuguò / jīngyóu + guǎndào

through / via

我們透過Email聯絡。

Wǒmen tòuguò Email liánluò.

We contact each other via email.

What “coverb” really means (without the textbook vibe)

A coverb is a word that can act like a verb, but often shows up before the main verb to add info (place, direction, target, tool, etc.). Think: mini-verb + its object, then the real verb.

Coverb phrase usually goes before the main verb

我 在公司 開會。 (place first, then action)

You can stack them

我 跟同事 在會議室 用電腦 做報告。

Don’t panic about the label

If it answers “where / to / with whom / using what / about what,” it’s doing the job.

Table of words

Grouped by what they do. Tap the audio button to hear the term.

Place and time

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
在	zài	at / in / on	他在圖書館看書。 Tā zài túshūguǎn kànshū.	He reads at the library.
於	yú	at / in (formal)	本店於週一休息。 Běn diàn yú zhōuyī xiūxī.	This shop is closed on Mondays. (formal tone)
到	dào	to / arrive at	我八點到學校。 Wǒ bā diǎn dào xuéxiào.	I arrive at school at 8.
直到	zhídào	until	我工作直到晚上九點。 Wǒ gōngzuò zhídào wǎnshàng jiǔ diǎn.	I work until 9 p.m.
自從	zìcóng	since (a starting time)	自從搬家以後，我每天走路上班。 Zìcóng bānjiā yǐhòu, wǒ měitiān zǒulù shàngbān.	Since moving, I walk to work every day.
自	zì	from / since (formal-ish)	自明天起，價格調整。 Zì míngtiān qǐ, jiàgé tiáozhěng.	Starting tomorrow, prices will be adjusted.
至	zhì	to / until (very formal)	營業時間為九點至六點。 Yíngyè shíjiān wéi jiǔ diǎn zhì liù diǎn.	Business hours are 9 to 6. (very formal)
於…之前	yú… zhīqián	before… (formal)	請於上課之前關機。 Qǐng yú shàngkè zhīqián guānjī.	Please turn it off before class. (formal)

Direction, route, and movement

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
從	cóng	from	我們從這裡出發。 Wǒmen cóng zhèlǐ chūfā.	We set off from here.
往	wǎng	toward (movement)	請往前走兩分鐘。 Qǐng wǎng qián zǒu liǎng fēnzhōng.	Please walk forward for two minutes.
向	xiàng	toward / to (often people/institutions)	我向店員問路。 Wǒ xiàng diànyuán wènlù.	I ask the clerk for directions.
朝	cháo	toward (direction/face)	他朝我笑了一下。 Tā cháo wǒ xiào le yíxià.	He smiled at me.
沿著	yánzhe	along	沿著河走就到了。 Yánzhe hé zǒu jiù dào le.	Walk along the river and you’ll get there.
經過	jīngguò	pass by / go through	我們經過公園去捷運站。 Wǒmen jīngguò gōngyuán qù jiéyùnzhàn.	We go to the MRT station passing through the park.
透過	tòuguò	through / via	我透過朋友認識他。 Wǒ tòuguò péngyǒu rènshì tā.	I met him through a friend.
經由	jīngyóu	via (slightly formal)	包裹經由超商取貨。 Bāoguǒ jīngyóu chāoshāng qǔhuò.	The package is picked up via a convenience store.
由	yóu	by / handled by	這件事由我來處理。 Zhè jiàn shì yóu wǒ lái chǔlǐ.	This will be handled by me.

With, together, and tools

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
跟	gēn	with	我跟同事吃午餐。 Wǒ gēn tóngshì chī wǔcān.	I eat lunch with coworkers.
和	hé	with / and (neutral)	我和你一起去。 Wǒ hé nǐ yìqǐ qù.	I’ll go with you.
與	yǔ	with (formal)	公司與客戶保持聯繫。 Gōngsī yǔ kèhù bǎochí liánxì.	The company keeps in touch with clients.
同	tóng	with (very formal/classic vibe)	我同你想法一樣。 Wǒ tóng nǐ xiǎngfǎ yíyàng.	I share the same view as you.
用	yòng	use / with	我用地圖找路。 Wǒ yòng dìtú zhǎo lù.	I use a map to find my way.
以	yǐ	by means of / using (often formal)	請以信用卡付款。 Qǐng yǐ xìnyòngkǎ fùkuǎn.	Please pay by credit card.
藉由	jièyóu	by using / through	他藉由運動減壓。 Tā jièyóu yùndòng jiǎnyā.	He relieves stress through exercise.
靠	kào	rely on / using (colloquial)	我靠咖啡撐過早上。 Wǒ kào kāfēi chēngguò zǎoshang.	I get through the morning thanks to coffee.
隨著	suízhe	as / along with	隨著天氣變冷，我開始早睡。 Suízhe tiānqì biàn lěng, wǒ kāishǐ zǎoshuì.	As the weather gets colder, I start sleeping earlier.

Recipient, purpose, and “for”

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
給	gěi	to / for (recipient)	我給媽媽買了花。 Wǒ gěi māma mǎi le huā.	I bought flowers for my mom.
替	tì	for / instead of	我替你打電話。 Wǒ tì nǐ dǎ diànhuà.	I’ll call for you.
為	wèi	for / on behalf of (often formal)	我為你感到高興。 Wǒ wèi nǐ gǎndào gāoxìng.	I’m happy for you.
為了	wèile	in order to / for the sake of	他為了健康每天跑步。 Tā wèile jiànkāng měitiān pǎobù.	He runs every day for his health.
幫	bāng	help (someone do something)	你可以幫我看一下嗎？ Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?	Can you take a look for me?
對…來說	duì… lái shuō	as far as … is concerned	對我來說，時間最重要。 Duì wǒ lái shuō, shíjiān zuì zhòngyào.	For me, time matters most.
以便	yǐbiàn	so that / in order to (formal)	請留下電話，以便聯絡。 Qǐng liúxià diànhuà, yǐbiàn liánluò.	Please leave your number so we can contact you.

About, toward, and “regarding”

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
對	duì	toward / about	我對中文發音很在意。 Wǒ duì Zhōngwén fāyīn hěn zàiyì.	I care a lot about Chinese pronunciation.
對於	duìyú	regarding (a bit more formal)	對於這個問題，我有不同看法。 Duìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ.	Regarding this issue, I have a different view.
關於	guānyú	about	關於行程，我晚點傳給你。 Guānyú xíngchéng, wǒ wǎndiǎn chuán gěi nǐ.	About the itinerary, I’ll send it later.
至於	zhìyú	as for…	至於晚餐，我想吃麵。 Zhìyú wǎncān, wǒ xiǎng chī miàn.	As for dinner, I want noodles.
針對	zhēnduì	aimed at / targeting	這份報告針對新手設計。 Zhè fèn bàogào zhēnduì xīnshǒu shèjì.	This report is designed for beginners.
面對	miànduì	facing / when dealing with	面對壓力，他很冷靜。 Miànduì yālì, tā hěn lěngjìng.	Facing pressure, he stays calm.

According to, based on, and standards

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
依照	yīzhào	according to	依照規定，要先登記。 Yīzhào guīdìng, yào xiān dēngjì.	According to the rules, you must register first.
按照	ànzhào	according to / follow	請按照流程填寫。 Qǐng ànzhào liúchéng tiánxiě.	Please fill it in following the process.
依據	yījù	based on (formal)	依據數據，我們需要改版。 Yījù shùjù, wǒmen xūyào gǎibǎn.	Based on the data, we need a redesign.
根據	gēnjù	according to / based on	根據天氣預報，明天會下雨。 Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.	According to the forecast, it’ll rain tomorrow.
據	jù	according to (headline-style)	據新聞報導，交通將管制。 Jù xīnwén bàodǎo, jiāotōng jiāng guǎnzhì.	According to the news, traffic will be controlled.
按	àn	according to (formal)	按合約，付款日是月底。 Àn héyuē, fùkuǎn rì shì yuèdǐ.	According to the contract, payday is at month-end.
以…為準	yǐ… wéi zhǔn	take … as the standard	時間以通知為準。 Shíjiān yǐ tōngzhī wéi zhǔn.	The time is based on the notification.

Comparison, exception, and “besides”

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
比	bǐ	than (comparison)	這杯比那杯甜。 Zhè bēi bǐ nà bēi tián.	This cup is sweeter than that one.
比起	bǐqǐ	compared to	比起外送，我更喜歡自己煮。 Bǐqǐ wàisòng, wǒ gèng xǐhuān zìjǐ zhǔ.	Compared to delivery, I prefer cooking myself.
跟…一樣	gēn… yíyàng	the same as…	我的想法跟你一樣。 Wǒ de xiǎngfǎ gēn nǐ yíyàng.	My opinion is the same as yours.
除了	chúle	except / besides	除了週末，我每天都上班。 Chúle zhōumò, wǒ měitiān dōu shàngbān.	Except for weekends, I work every day.
除…之外	chú… zhīwài	besides… / apart from…	除咖啡之外，我也喝茶。 Chú kāfēi zhīwài, wǒ yě hē chá.	Besides coffee, I also drink tea.

Disposal and passive (the ones learners fear for no reason)

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
把	bǎ	object-first disposal	我把文件寄出去了。 Wǒ bǎ wénjiàn jì chūqù le.	I mailed the document out.
將	jiāng	object-first (formal version of 把)	請將資料上傳。 Qǐng jiāng zīliào shàngchuán.	Please upload the data. (formal)
被	bèi	passive marker	我的外套被風吹走了。 Wǒ de wàitào bèi fēng chuī zǒu le.	My jacket got blown away by the wind.
由…負責	yóu… fùzé	be handled by…	客服由專人負責。 Kèfú yóu zhuānrén fùzé.	Customer service is handled by dedicated staff.

Optional variants cheat sheet

Same idea, different vibe: casual vs formal, spoken vs written.

When you mean…	Casual	More formal	Mini example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
at / in	在 zài	於 yú	我在台中上課。 Wǒ zài Táizhōng shàngkè.	I take classes in Taichung.
with	跟 / 和 gēn / hé	與 yǔ	我跟他談過了。 Wǒ gēn tā tán guò le.	I’ve talked with him.
toward	往 wǎng	向 / 朝 xiàng / cháo	我們往山上走。 Wǒmen wǎng shānshàng zǒu.	We’re walking up the mountain.
according to	按照 ànzhào	依據 / 據 yījù / jù	請按照時間到場。 Qǐng ànzhào shíjiān dàochǎng.	Please arrive on time.
object-first (disposal)	把 bǎ	將 jiāng	請把燈關掉。 Qǐng bǎ dēng guān diào.	Please turn off the light.