zài 在 vs dào 到 – at/in/on vs to arrive
Spoken Description
比较“在 (zài)” 和 “到 (dào)”：在 表示位置、时刻或状态，强调“现在的位置”。到 表示运动，意指“到达某地”。举例：我在学校（位置） vs 我到学校（运动）。掌握正确用法，表达地点和运动更自然。
学习“在 (zài)” 和 “到 (dào)”：在强调当前位置或时间点，例如“我在家”。到侧重运动，表示从A到B的路径，“我到家”。通过例句帮助理解，提升用法准确性。
-:- / -:-
Mandarin uses zài 在 to mark location or time and dào 到 to express arriving or reaching a place or goal; they fit different roles in sentences and trigger different interpretations. This quick guide contrasts zài 在 and dào 到 with clear examples for each use.
Zài 在
使用 zài 在 来表示某人或某物位于某处，或标记某一行动发生的时间；根据语境，它的作用类似于英语的 "at"、"in" 或 "on"。
Use zài 在 to indicate where someone or something is located, or to mark a time when an action happens; it functions like English "at," "in," or "on" depending on context.
Location
Zài 在 precedes a place expression to show the physical or situational location of an entity relative to that place.
Time
Zài 在 can introduce a time phrase to situate an action within a specific temporal frame.
Action in Progress
When combined with zhèngzài 正在, zài 在 highlights that an action is currently ongoing at a location or time.
Dào 到
使用 dào 到 来表达到达、抵达或前往某个目的地；它强调的是朝某地点移动或达到该地点的过程。
Use dào 到 to express arriving at, reaching, or going to a destination; it emphasizes movement toward a place or the completion of reaching that place.
Arrival
Dào 到 follows or precedes a place name to mark that someone or something has arrived at that location.
Movement Toward
Dào 到 signals intention or action of moving toward a place and can appear with verbs of going, coming, or delivering.
Result Complement
After a verb, dào 到 functions as a result complement meaning "successfully reach" or "manage to get to," emphasizing attainment.
Summary
Use zài 在 to mark static location or time and dào 到 to highlight arrival, movement toward, or successful reaching of a place; choose each according to whether the focus is on position versus motion or attainment.
Vocabulary
Here are key words and phrases related to zài 在 and dào 到 for quick reference:
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 在 | zài | at / in / on / (located) | |
| 到 | dào | arrive / to / reach | |
| 书店 | shūdiàn | bookstore | |
| 学校 | xuéxiào | school | |
| 医院 | yīyuàn | hospital | |
| 家 | jiā | home / family | |
| 火车站 | huǒchēzhàn | train station | |
| 商店 | shāngdiàn | shop / store | |
| 机场 | jīchǎng | airport | |
| 饭馆 | fànguǎn | restaurant | |
| 工厂 | gōngchǎng | factory | |
| 银行 | yínháng | bank | |
| 图书馆 | túshūguǎn | library | |
| 公司 | gōngsī | company |
These examples embed zài 在 and dào 到 in natural phrases to reinforce their typical uses around locations you commonly encounter.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM