Traditional Chinese - Where Is It?

___在哪裡

___ zài nǎlǐ?

Where is ___?

Meaning: ___在哪裡？ (___ zài nǎlǐ?) means “Where is ___?” Use it for one person, place, or thing.

When to use: Use it when you need to find something or someone, like a restroom, phone, or friend.

___在哪裡

___ zài nǎlǐ?

Where are ___?

Meaning: ___在哪裡？ (___ zài nǎlǐ?) can also mean “Where are ___?” Mandarin often uses the same form for one or more than one.

When to use: Use context to show that you mean more than one person or thing.

Tip: Don’t worry about adding a plural ending. In this question, ___在哪裡？ (___ zài nǎlǐ?) works for one or many.

___在這裡嗎？

___ zài zhèlǐ ma?

Is ___ here?

Meaning: ___在這裡嗎？ (___ zài zhèlǐ ma?) means “Is ___ here?”

When to use: Use it to check whether a person or thing is in the place where you are now.

___在這裡

___ zài zhèlǐ.

___ is here.

Meaning: ___在這裡。 (___ zài zhèlǐ.) means “___ is here.”

When to use: Use it to tell someone that a person or thing is right here.

___不在這裡。

___ bú zài zhèlǐ.

___ is not here.

Meaning: ___不在這裡。 (___ bú zài zhèlǐ.) means “___ is not here.”

When to use: Use it when someone or something is not in the current place.

Tip: Before 在 (zài), 不 changes sound to bú, so say 不在 (bú zài), not bù zài.

在這裡

Zài zhèlǐ.

It's here.

Meaning: 在這裡。 (Zài zhèlǐ.) means “It’s here.”

When to use: Use it when pointing to something nearby. The subject is clear, so you can leave it out.

在那裡

Zài nàlǐ.

It's over there.

Meaning: 在那裡。 (Zài nàlǐ.) means “It’s over there.”

When to use: Use it when pointing to a place away from you.

在___裡面

Zài ___ lǐmiàn.

It's in ___.

Meaning: 在___裡面。 (Zài ___ lǐmiàn.) means “It’s in ___.”

When to use: Use it for containers, rooms, bags, stores, or other enclosed places.

Tip: Use 裡面 (lǐmiàn) for “inside.” For “on top of,” use 上 (shàng).

在___旁邊

Zài ___ pángbiān.

It's next to ___.

Meaning: 在___旁邊。 (Zài ___ pángbiān.) means “It’s next to ___.”

When to use: Use it when something is beside or near another person, place, or object.

你在哪裡

Nǐ zài nǎlǐ?

Where are you?

Meaning: 你在哪裡？ (Nǐ zài nǎlǐ?) means “Where are you?”

When to use: Use it when calling or messaging someone to ask their current location.

___在這附近嗎？

___ zài zhè fùjìn ma?

Is ___ near here?

Meaning: ___在這附近嗎？ (___ zài zhè fùjìn ma?) means “Is ___ near here?”

When to use: Use it to ask if a place or thing is nearby.

___在這附近。

___ zài zhè fùjìn.

___ is near here.

Meaning: ___在這附近。 (___ zài zhè fùjìn.) means “___ is near here.”

When to use: Use it to tell someone that a place or thing is nearby.

___在___上。

___ zài ___ shàng.

___ is on ___.

Meaning: ___在___上。 (___ zài ___ shàng.) means “___ is on ___.”

When to use: Use it for something on a surface. In Taiwan, for something on a street, you can also say 在___路上 (zài ___ lù shàng).