It’s generally agreed that every one of us comes across position-related vocabulary on a daily basis. In this article, we’ve prepared some typical examples to help you learn how to express locations using the structure “A + 在 (zài) + B + position”.

Position-related Vocabulary

1. In Front

前面
qiánmiàn
in front

Example

我在餐厅前面等你。
Wǒ zài cāntīng qiánmiàn děng nǐ.
I’m waiting for you in front of the restaurant.

2. Behind

后面
hòumiàn
behind

我就站在你后面。
Wǒ jiù zhàn zài nǐ hòumiàn.
I’m standing right behind you.

3. On the Left

左边
zuǒbiān
on the left

Example

电梯在你左边。
Diàntī zài nǐ zuǒbiān.
The lift is on your left.

4. On the Right

右边
yòubiān
on the right

Example

包在他右边。
Bāo zài tā yòubiān.
The bag is on his right.

5. On

上面
shàngmiàn
on

Example

咖啡在桌子上面。
kā fēi zài zhuō zi shàng miàn.
The coffee is on the table.

6. Under

下面
xiàmiàn
under

Example

鞋子在床下面。
Xiézi zài chuáng xiàmiàn.
The shoes are under the bed.

7. Opposite

对面
duìmiàn
opposite

Example

我的家在学校对面。
Wǒ de jiā zài xuéxiào duìmiàn.
My home is opposite the school.

8. Next to

旁边
pángbiān
next to

Example

银行在超市旁边。
Yínháng zài chāoshì pángbiān.
The bank is next to the supermarket.

9. Near

附近
fùjìn
near

Example

酒店在火车站附近。
Jiǔdiàn zài huǒchēzhàn fùjìn.
The hotel is near the railway station.

Take It Further

Do you know other position-related vocabulary? Write in comments below words that expressing location.

To find out more interesting and useful Chinese vocabulary, check out one of our blog posts.

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