Prepositional Phrases

The preposition de (的) often marks possession, description, or association between two nouns. It turns the first noun or phrase into a modifier of the second, so that you can specify kinds, owners, or parts. Use de to link things smoothly when one noun defines or belongs to another.

The preposition lǐ (里) literally means "inside" and is used after a place noun to indicate being within a boundary. It can be used for physical containers, rooms, neighborhoods, or abstract spaces. Use lǐ to locate someone or something firmly inside a defined area.

The preposition zài (在) marks location or ongoing action at a place and is often used before a place noun or prepositional phrase. It can signal physical presence, activity, or temporary positioning. Use zài to situate actions in time and place clearly.

The preposition xiàng (向) indicates direction, target, or recipient of an action. It is used when something moves or is aimed toward a person, place, or abstract goal. Use xiàng for speeches, movements, and intentions that have a clear focus.

The preposition wèi (为) signals purpose, reason, or benefit and can introduce a cause or a beneficiary. It is formal and common in written and spoken Mandarin when highlighting motivation or giving something as a favor. Use wèi to frame actions in terms of goals or duties.

The preposition yòng (用) indicates the instrument, tool, or method employed to do something. It is followed by the thing that serves as means and appears in instructions, descriptions, and everyday speech. Use yòng to specify how an action is carried out.

The preposition cóng (从) marks origin, starting point, or source in space, time, or sequence. It is used for physical departures, temporal beginnings, and abstract origins. Use cóng to set the point at which something starts or where something comes from.

The preposition guānyú (关于) introduces a topic, subject, or matter under discussion. It is slightly formal and appears in speech, writing, and announcements when specifying what something concerns. Use guānyú to frame information, questions, or rules around a theme.

Prepositional phrases in Mandarin align closely with short prepositions that signal clear relations like possession de, location lǐ*, *zài, direction xiàng, purpose wèi, instrument yòng, origin cóng, and topic guānyú. Learn each key preposition with examples so you can pinpoint spatial, temporal, causal, and thematic connections naturally.