在 Stroke Order — How to Write 在
在 is written in 6 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 土, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
在 Radical and Character Components
在 is a phono-semantic compound: 土 (earth) carries the meaning, while 才 indicates the sound.
Radical: 土 + 3 more strokes
在 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zài
Meanings of 在 in Chinese
1
zài在
to exist; to be present; to remain
美好的回忆永远存在我们心中。
Beautiful memories always exist in our hearts.
To be present at a certain place or to be in a particular state/position.
他现在在家休息。
He is currently resting at home.
To lie in, depend on, or be concerned with; emphasizing the focus or essence of something.
成功的关键在于坚持不懈的努力。
The key to success lies in persistent effort.
Indicates an action in progress, similar to 'be + -ing' in English.
她正在看书。
She is reading a book.
Used as a preposition to indicate the time, location, situation, or scope of an action or state.
你的建议在理，我们应该采纳。
Your suggestion is reasonable; we should adopt it.
Used with '所' to form idiomatic expressions, often emphasizing the scope or inevitability of a situation, such as '在所不辞' (to not hesitate) or '在所难免' (unavoidable).
生活中的小摩擦在所难免，关键在于如何处理。
Minor frictions in life are unavoidable; the key lies in how to handle them.
Common Words and Phrases with 在
1
to be on record; to be officially filed or recorded
请确保所有相关文件都已在案，以便日后查阅。
Please ensure all relevant documents are on file for future reference.
2
to be in a secret society (e.g., Green Gang or Red Gang)
他父亲当年便在帮里，因此他从小就对帮规耳濡目染
His father was in the society back then, so he was exposed to the society's rules from a young age.
3
to be on the regular payroll
我们公司目前(50名在编员工。
Our company currently has 50 officially employed staff members.
4
to be present; on the scene
我当时就在场，目睹了整个过程
I was present at the time and witnessed the entire process.
5
to hold office at court; to be in power/government
他父亲年轻时曾在朝为官，德高望重。
In his youth, his father held office at the imperial court and was widely respected for his moral character.
6
to be a Party member; to be a member of a political party
她在学生时期便已在党，为社团活动贡献了许多创意。
She had already joined the association during her student years, contributing many creative ideas to club activities.
7
To care about; to mind; to take to heart. It can also mean to depend on.
她非常在乎自己的名声。
She cares a lot about her reputation.
8
about to happen; imminent; near at hand
考试在即，同学们都在认真复习。
With the exam imminent, students are all diligently reviewing.
9
10
to be a believer in a religion, especially Islam
她的家人大多在教，每周都会去教堂做礼拜。
Most of her family members are religious, and they go to church for services every week.
11
There is no escaping a destined calamity; destined to suffer a misfortune.
他知道自己犯了错，面对即将到来的惩罚，感觉自己在劫难逃。
He knew he had made a mistake, and facing the impending punishment, he felt there was no escaping his fate.
12
reasonable; right; sensible
你说的很在理，我赞同你的看法。
What you said makes a lot of sense; I agree with your view.
13
Total Abstinence Society; a secret anti-Qing organization established in the early Qing Dynasty, known for strict precepts such as abstinence from smoking and drinking.
爷爷年轻时，曾听闻村里有长辈加入过秘密的‘在理会’，他们对成员的品行要求非常严格。
When my grandfather was young, he had heard that some elders in the village had joined the secret 'Zai Lihui,' which had very strict requirements for its members' conduct.
14
including; included in; within
这个展览吸引了许多游客，学生和退休人员都在内
This exhibition attracted many visitors, including students and retirees.
15
formerly; previously
这栋老房子是在前几年重新装修过的，现在看起来焕然一新。
This old house was renovated a few years before now, and it looks completely new.
16
to be alive; to be living in the world
我的祖父在世时，经常带我去公园玩。
My grandfather, when he was alive, often took me to the park to play.
More words with 在
- zhǐ旨zài在to aim at; to intend to
- shì是zài在is, is located
- zài在cǐ此Here, At this point
- zài在wài外outside, out
- cáng藏zài在hide in, be hidden in
- cún存zài在exist, existence
- dāi待zài在stay in, stay at
- duǒ躲zài在hide in, hide at
- guà挂zài在hang on, hang from
- sǎ洒zài在sprinkle on, spill on
- shí实zài在really, truly
- suǒ所zài在location, place
- tǎng躺zài在lie on, lie in
- xiàn现zài在now, currently
- zài在wèi位reigning, in office
- zài在yì意care about, mind
- zhàn站zài在stand, side with
- zhèng正zài在Currently, In progress
- zǒu走zài在walking on, walking in
- zuò坐zài在sit, be sitting
Idioms with 在
- zài在cǐ此yī一jǔ举success depends on this one action
- zài在guān官yán言guān官Speak according to one's official position
- zài在suǒ所bù不cí辞not shrink from any task
- zài在suǒ所bù不xī惜willing to pay any price
- zài在suǒ所nán难miǎn免hard to avoid
- zài在tiān天zhī之líng灵spirit of the deceased
- bó薄jì技zài在shēn身possess a minor skill
- bù不zài在huà话xià下easy, not worth mentioning
- chéng成zhú竹zài在xiōng胸have a well-conceived plan in mind
- cùn寸tiě铁zài在shǒu手to have a small weapon at hand
- dà大quán权zài在wò握To hold great power
- dà大yǒu有rén人zài在Such people are numerous
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Open the tool →Questions about 在
What does 在 mean in Chinese?
在 (zài) means “to exist” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 在?
在 is pronounced zài in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 在 have?
在 has 6 strokes.
How do you write 在?
在 is written in 6 strokes, starting from the radical 土. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 在?
The radical of 在 is 土, and 在 is a phono-semantic compound.
