In Chinese grammar, "前置詞 (qiánzhìcí)" are prepositions. They are crucial for showing the relationship between a noun or pronoun (or noun phrase) and other elements in a sentence, indicating things like location, time, manner, instrument, recipient, or cause. Unlike English prepositions which often precede the object directly, Chinese prepositions frequently form a prepositional phrase that comes before the main verb. This is a key distinction.
Basic Structure
The general structure involving a Chinese preposition is:
Subject + Prepositional Phrase + Verb + (Object)
A prepositional phrase typically looks like:
Preposition + Object of the Preposition
For example:
我在家吃饭。(Wǒ zài jiā chīfàn.) - I eat at home.
在 (zài)is the preposition.家 (jiā)is the object of the preposition.在家 (zài jiā)is the prepositional phrase, placed before the verb吃饭 (chīfàn).
Common Chinese Prepositions and Their Usage
Here's a detailed look at some common prepositions and their specific uses:
1. 在 (zài) - At, In, On (Location, Time)
在 (zài) indicates location or sometimes time when referring to an action happening at a specific point.
Location:
我在北京工作。(Wǒ zài Běijīng gōngzuò.) - I work in Beijing.
书在桌子上。(Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.) - The book is on the table.
Time (for an action happening at that time):
我在晚上学习。(Wǒ zài wǎnshang xuéxí.) - I study in the evening. (Less common for general time, more for specific actions).
2. 从 (cóng) - From (Origin, Starting Point)
从 (cóng) indicates the starting point or origin of an action, whether in terms of location, time, or source.
Origin/Starting Point (Location):
他从中国来。(Tā cóng Zhōngguó lái.) - He comes from China.
我们从学校走回家。(Wǒmen cóng xuéxiào zǒu huí jiā.) - We walk home from school.
Starting Point (Time):
我从早上八点开始工作。(Wǒ cóng zǎoshang bādiǎn kāishǐ gōngzuò.) - I start work from 8 AM.
3. 到 (dào) - To, Until (Destination, Ending Point)
到 (dào) indicates the destination or ending point of an action. It often pairs with 从 (cóng).
Destination (Location):
我到北京去。(Wǒ dào Běijīng qù.) - I go to Beijing.
他走路到公司。(Tā zǒulù dào gōngsī.) - He walks to the company.
Ending Point (Time):
我工作到晚上九点。(Wǒ gōngzuò dào wǎnshang jiǔdiǎn.) - I work until 9 PM.
4. 给 (gěi) - To, For (Recipient, Beneficiary)
给 (gěi) indicates the recipient of an action or the beneficiary for whom an action is done.
Recipient (giving/sending):
我给你一本书。(Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū.) - I give you a book.
他给妈妈打电话。(Tā gěi māma dǎ diànhuà.) - He calls his mom.
Beneficiary (doing something for someone):
我给朋友买礼物。(Wǒ gěi péngyou mǎi lǐwù.) - I buy a gift for my friend.
5. 跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 同 (tóng) - With (Companionship, Manner, Comparison)
These prepositions indicate companionship, manner, or sometimes comparison. 跟 (gēn) is most common in spoken Chinese, 和 (hé) is common in both spoken and written, and 同 (tóng) is more formal.
Companionship:
我跟朋友一起去。(Wǒ gēn péngyou yīqǐ qù.) - I go with my friend.
他和老师说话。(Tā hé lǎoshī shuōhuà.) - He talks with the teacher.
Manner/Comparison (less common than companionship):
他跟我一样高。(Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gāo.) - He is as tall as me.
6. 对 (duì) - To, Towards, For (Attitude, Target)
对 (duì) indicates the target of an action, an attitude towards something, or a relationship to something.
Target/Recipient (of an action or feeling):
你对我很好。(Nǐ duì wǒ hěn hǎo.) - You are very good to me.
我对中国文化很感兴趣。(Wǒ duì Zhōngguó wénhuà hěn gǎn xìngqù.) - I am very interested in Chinese culture.
Towards (direction of action, often with abstract nouns):
我对你说。(Wǒ duì nǐ shuō.) - I say to you.
7. 为 (wèi) / 为了 (wèile) - For, For the Sake of (Purpose, Cause)
为 (wèi) and 为了 (wèile) both indicate purpose or reason. 为了 (wèile) is often stronger and more emphatic.
Purpose/Reason:
我为学习汉语来中国。(Wǒ wèi xuéxí Hànyǔ lái Zhōngguó.) - I came to China for studying Chinese.
他为了健康每天跑步。(Tā wèile jiànkāng měitiān páobù.) - He runs every day for his health.
8. 用 (yòng) - With, By (Instrument, Means)
用 (yòng) indicates the instrument or means by which an action is performed.
Instrument/Means:
我用筷子吃饭。(Wǒ yòng kuàizi chīfàn.) - I eat with chopsticks.
他用中文写信。(Tā yòng Zhōngwén xiě xìn.) - He writes a letter in Chinese.
9. 离 (lí) - From, Away from (Distance)
离 (lí) indicates distance or separation between two points.
Distance:
我家离学校很近。(Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn jìn.) - My home is very close to the school.
这里离机场远吗？ (Zhèlǐ lí jīchǎng yuǎn ma?) - Is it far from here to the airport?
Important Considerations
Prepositional Phrase Placement: As mentioned, the prepositional phrase usually comes before the main verb. This is a significant difference from English.
English: I read a book in the library.
Chinese: 我在图书馆看书。(Wǒ zài túshūguǎn kàn shū.) - I in the library read book.
Coverbs vs. Prepositions: In some linguistic analyses, Chinese "prepositions" are sometimes referred to as "coverbs" because many of them can also function as main verbs (e.g.,
在 (zài)can mean "to be at,"给 (gěi)can mean "to give"). However, when they introduce a noun phrase before another verb to show a relationship, they are functioning as prepositions.No Preposition for Direct Object: Unlike English, you do not use a preposition before a direct object.
English: I read a book.
Chinese: 我看一本书。(Wǒ kàn yī běn shū.) - No preposition is needed before "一本书".
By understanding these common prepositions and their typical placement, you can accurately express complex relationships within Chinese sentences.
