[Learn basic Chinese with grammar] How to use 在 as a location marker

What does 在 mean as a location marker?

In Chinese, 在 ♬ can show location. It can mean “at,” “in,” or “on,” depending on the place word after it.

Word	Basic meaning
在 ♬	at; in; on

This article focuses on 在 as a location marker, not the 在 used for actions in progress.

Use 在 ♬ before a place to say where someone or something is.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 在 + Place	Subject is at / in / on a place

Chinese	English
鑰匙在抽屜裡。 ♬	The key is in the drawer.
貓在椅子上。 ♬	The cat is on the chair.

Chinese often adds position words like 裡 ♬ and 上 ♬ after the place.

在 ♬ can also show where an action happens. In this pattern, the location usually comes before the verb.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 在 + Place + Verb	Subject does something at / in a place

Chinese	English
學生在實驗室做實驗。 ♬	The student does experiments in the laboratory.
記者在現場報導。 ♬	The reporter reports at the scene.

Do not place the location after the verb just because English often does.

Many Chinese location phrases need a position word. Common words include 裡 ♬, 上 ♬, 下 ♬, and 旁邊 ♬.

Chinese	English
背包在椅子下。 ♬	The backpack is under the chair.
影印機在門旁邊。 ♬	The copier is next to the door.

For location, use 在 ♬, not 是 ♬. 是 is usually used to identify what something is.

Not natural	Natural Chinese
鑰匙是抽屜裡。	鑰匙在抽屜裡。 ♬
貓是椅子上。	貓在椅子上。 ♬

The not-natural examples are only for comparison, so they do not need audio.

To ask where someone or something is, use 在哪裡 ♬ or the shorter 在哪兒 ♬.

Question phrase	Basic meaning
在哪裡 ♬	where is / where are
在哪兒 ♬	where is / where are

Chinese	English
出口在哪裡？ ♬	Where is the exit?
洗手間在哪兒？ ♬	Where is the restroom?

哪裡 is common in Taiwan and many learning materials. 哪兒 is also common, especially in northern Mandarin.