What does 在 mean in Chinese?

在 (zài) means "(located) at; (to be) in; to exist; in the middle of doing sth; (indicating an action in progress)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 在?

在 is pronounced "zài" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 在?

在 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 在?

Common words with 在 include 内在 (intrinsic), 不在乎 (not to care), 不在意 (to pay no attention to), 不在 (not to be present), 何在 (where?).

How do you write 在?

在 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 土. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

在 (zài), (located) at

在

zài

(located) at; (to be) in; to exist; in the middle of doing sth

HSK 1verb6 strokes

Character Breakdown

在 = 才 + 土

Talent rooted in earth — being present

Radical: 土 (no. 32)Strokes: 6

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) (located) at
(to be) in
to exist
in the middle of doing sth
(indicating an action in progress)

Example Sentences

他现在在家。

Tā xiànzài zài jiā

He is at home now

Words Containing 在

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
内在	nèi zài	intrinsic	HSK 7-9
不在乎	bù zài hu	not to care
不在意	bù zài yì	to pay no attention to
不在	bù zài	not to be present
何在	hé zài

Related Words

中(zhōng)· within

→

正在(zhèng zài)· just at (that time)

→

作法(zuò fǎ)· course of action

→

在那儿(zài na r)· (adverbial expression indicating that the attention of the subject of the verb is focused on what they are doing, not distracted by anything else)

→

Grammar Notes

Basic Sentence Order (SVO)HSK 1

Subject + (Time) + (Place) + Verb + Object

Time Expression PlacementHSK 1

Subject + Time + Verb + Object (or) Time + Subject + Verb + Object

Location with 在HSK 1

Subject + 在 + Place + Verb (or) Subject + 在 + Place

Ability with 会HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb + Object

Question Word Questions (什么, 谁, 哪)HSK 1

Same as statement, but replace the unknown element with a question word

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

在: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 在 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.