Learn Chinese: Prepositions
Explore the usage of prepositions in Chinese language to connect elements within sentences.
Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2
一 (yī)
a
In Chinese, '一' is used to represent the English word 'a'. It is commonly used in front of a noun in Chinese language to indicate a singular quantity, just like 'a' in English.
Example sentences with 一 →上 (shàng)
up
In Chinese, the word '上' corresponds to the English term 'up'. It is frequently used in the same context as in English, to denote something that is at a higher place or position. It is used as an adjective, verb or preposition based on the context. The setup and structure of the sentence often helps determine its exact meaning. However, it may also have idiosyncratic uses such as indicating the fact of being in use or operation (as in 'the computer is up').
Example sentences with 上 →与 (yǔ)
with
'与' is used in Chinese in the same concept as 'with' in English. It indicates the idea of together or using, especially when showing a connection or relationship between two or more entities. It can also have situations corresponding to the different usages of 'with' in English but typically it is used to express 'and' or 'together with'.
为 (wèi)
for
In Chinese, '为' (wèi) is the direct translation of 'for'. It is a flexible word often used to imply a purpose or reason for doing something, similar to how 'for' is used in English. It's worth noting that its usage can vary based on context, particularly in more complex sentences or expressions.
Example sentences with 为 →之前 (zhī qián)
before
The Chinese word '之前' is frequently used in both oral and written language. It is applied to denote something that happened or existed before a particular point in time. It's often placed after the noun or time word it modifies, and can be used both in negative and positive sentences.
之后 (zhī hòu)
after
The Chinese word '之后' directly translates to 'after' in English. It is used to imply something happening later in time or place in Chinese sentences. For example, '我吃饭之后去上班' translates to 'I go to work after having a meal'.
之间 (zhī jiān)
between
The Chinese word '之间'(zhī jiān) corresponds to 'between' in English. It is often used to represent a relationship, indicating that something is in the middle of two objects or points in time. It is widely used in both formal and informal settings.
从 (cóng)
from
In Chinese, '从' primarily functions as a preposition, in the same way 'from' does in English. It can denote the point in space or time at which some action, event, etc., starts to happen. It can also express the idea of origin or source. Additionally, '从' may indicate a process or way. Many Chinese words and phrases contain '从', adding elements of direction or sequence.
以上 (yǐ shàng)
above
The Chinese word '以上' is used to indicate something which is 'above' or 'more than'. It is less commonly used to refer to physical location than the English 'above', and is often used in formal or mathematical contexts.
Example sentences with 以上 →以下 (yǐ xià)
following
In Chinese, the term '以下' is used similarly to the English word 'following'. It can refer to what comes after or next, either in text or real life. It's most commonly used in written language.
Example sentences with 以下 →但是 (dàn shì)
but
The Chinese word '但是' is similar to the English word 'but'. It is used as a conjunction to introduce something contrary to what was previously stated or to introduce a point of view that contrasts with one just expressed.
保存 (bǎocún)
save
In Chinese, '保存' (bǎocún) is used similarly to the English 'save'. It can mean to preserve something, like saving a document or an email, but also to conserve resources, like saving electricity or water. It usually conveys the idea of 'keep for future use'.
储蓄 (chǔxù)
savings
The Chinese word for savings is '储蓄'. It is used in the same context as in English, to refer to the part of a person's income that is not spent but rather accumulated or invested. The term can be found in various contexts such as personal finance, banking, and economics.
Example sentences with 储蓄 →关 (guān)
off
The Chinese word '关' is used in the context of turning something off such as a light or a machine. It can also refer to the act of closing, as in closing a door or a window.
Example sentences with 关 →关于 (guānyú)
about
The Chinese word '关于' is used in similar ways as 'about' in English. It can be used to refer broadly to the subject or content of something. An example in a sentence might be '我想和你谈谈关于我们的未来', meaning 'I want to talk to you about our future.'
出 (chū)
out
The Chinese word '出' translates to 'out' in English and can be used in context similar to English. It is commonly used as a verb that refers to going or coming out of somewhere. For example, 'He comes out of the room' translates to '他从房间出来'.
Example sentences with 出 →到 (dào)
to
The Chinese word '到' is used similarly to the English preposition 'to'. It is often used to express the destination of a movement or change. Just like in English, '到' is used in various complex grammatical structures.
Example sentences with 到 →加 (jiā)
plus
In Chinese, 'plus' is translated to '加'. It is a commonly used word in Chinese mathematics, just as 'plus' is used in English to indicate addition. It could also be used metaphorically to represent the act of adding or including something extra.
Example sentences with 加 →反对 (fǎn duì)
against
The Chinese word '反对' corresponds to the English word 'against'. It is primarily used to express opposition to something or someone. It could be a person, idea, or a plan. Depending on context, it may also denote being in contrast to something or in a defensive position.
后面 (hòu miàn)
behind
In Chinese, '后面' refers to the position or state of being at the back of something or someone. It's used similarly to the English usage of the word 'behind', and can be employed in a variety of contexts such as in terms of physical location or in terms of ranking or order (as in 'behind' someone in a line).
周围 (zhōu wéi)
around
The Chinese word '周围' is used to convey the meaning of 'around' as in surrounding or in the vicinity. It is used both in literal and figurative sense. It can describe the location of something or someone in physical space, or refer to the surrounding circumstances or environment.
喜欢 (xǐ huān)
like
The Chinese word for 'like' is '喜欢' and is used similarly to the English term. For instance, 'I like you' can be translated as '我喜欢你'. It's typically used to express fondness or enjoyment for something or someone.
在 (zài)
in
The Chinese word '在' is used to express the state or action of being located in a place or exact location. It is equivalent to the English preposition 'in'. The word '在' is also used to indicate an action that is currently happening, similar to the English present progressive tense (e.g., I am doing something).
在...下面 (zài...xiàmiàn)
under
This Chinese word '在...下面' translates to 'under' in English. It is used in the same way as in English, usually for indicating the position or location of something that is beneath or covered by another thing. For example, 在桌子下面 (under the table).
在...之上 (zài...zhī shàng)
upon
In Chinese, '在...之上' is used to indicate something is on top of something else. This phrase is quite literal and can be used in the same way as 'upon' in English, to refer to something being above or over another object or concept. However, it is often used in more formal contexts or literary language.
Example sentences with 在...之上 →在...之中 (zài...zhī zhōng)
among
The Chinese word '在...之中' can be used in many contexts just like in English. It can refer to being in the middle of a group of people or things, or it can refer to being part of a larger category or group. It can also be used to indicate that something is being shared by a group of people, or that it is the subject of a common action or effect.
在...之内 (zài...zhī nèi)
within
The Chinese phrase '在...之内' is equivalent to 'within' in English. It is used to indicate that something is inside or contained in another thing. It is widely applicable in various contexts, such as time, space, range, etc.
在...期间 (zài...qījiān)
during
The Chinese word '在...期间' is used in a similar way as 'during' in English. It's used to indicate something that happens within a particular period of time. You place it before the time or event that something happens. For example, 在冬天期间 (during the winter).
外面 (wài miàn)
outside
The Chinese term '外面' is used in the same context as the English word 'outside'. It can refer to the physical exterior of a place or an outward appearance. It is a common term in daily conversation used to describe location.
尽管 (jǐn guǎn)
despite
The Chinese word '尽管' is used in a sentence to show contrast or contradiction between two statements. It's usually placed at the beginning of a phrase and indicates that the action or event of the second half of the sentence occurs regardless of the situation presented in the first half. Much like how 'despite' is used in English.
Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2