Position Words (On, Under, Next To) in Chinese 方位词
fāngwèi cí
Position words in Chinese is 方位词 (fāng wèi cí).
Also searched for as: on under next to, prepositions, where is it, in front behind.
On it, under it, next to it? 15 essential where is it? words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
To say where something is in Chinese, use 在 (zài), then the object, then the position word, so 'on the table' is 在桌子上 (zài zhuō zi shàng), literally 'at table top'. This list covers 上面 (shàng miàn), 下面 (xià miàn), 旁边 (páng biān), 对面 (duì miàn) and more, which you'll need for giving directions, finding things at home and describing where you live.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 上面 | shàng miàn | on top; above |
| 下面 | xià miàn | under; below |
| 里面 | lǐ miàn | inside |
| 外面 | wài miàn | outside |
| 前面 | qián miàn | in front |
| 后面 | hòu mian | behind |
| 左边 | zuǒ bian | left side |
| 右边 | yòu bian | right side |
| 中间 | zhōng jiān | in the middle |
| 旁边 | páng biān | next to |
| 对面 | duì miàn | opposite |
| 附近 | fù jìn | nearby |
| 上 | shàng | on (after a noun) |
| 里 | lǐ | in (after a noun) |
| 楼上 | lóu shàng | upstairs |
Usage tips
- In speech, 上面 and 里面 are often shortened to 上 (shàng) and 里 (lǐ) after a noun: 在包里 (zài bāo lǐ), 'in the bag'.
- 前面 (qián miàn) is handy in directions: 前面就是 (qián miàn jiù shì) means 'it's just up ahead'.
- The 面 (miàn) forms can be swapped for 边 (bian) forms, so 上边 (shàng bian) and 上面 (shàng miàn) mean the same; the 边 versions sound slightly more colloquial.
Common mistakes
- Following English word order, as in 在上面桌子: the noun comes first, so say 在桌子上面 (zài zhuō zi shàng miàn).
- Leaving out the position word after an object, as in 钥匙在包: say 钥匙在包里 (yào shi zài bāo lǐ), because 包 is a thing, not a place.
Mini dialogue
- A请问，附近有银行吗？Qǐng wèn, fù jìn yǒu yín háng ma?Excuse me, is there a bank nearby?
- B有，就在超市对面。Yǒu, jiù zài chāo shì duì miàn.Yes, it's just opposite the supermarket.
- A超市在哪儿？Chāo shì zài nǎr?Where's the supermarket?
- B前面路口左边，咖啡店旁边。Qián miàn lù kǒu zuǒ bian, kā fēi diàn páng biān.On the left at the junction ahead, next to the café.
Example sentences
- 书在桌子上面。The book is on the table.
- 猫在床下面。The cat is under the bed.
- 包里面有什么？What's in the bag?
- 外面下雨了。It's raining outside.
- 前面就是车站。The station is just ahead.
- 房子后面有个花园。There's a garden behind the house.
- 银行在左边。The bank is on the left.
- 右边那个是我的。The one on the right is mine.
- 我坐在他们中间。I sat between them.
- 超市在学校旁边。The supermarket is next to the school.
- 我家对面有一家咖啡店。There's a café opposite my home.
- 附近有地铁站吗？Is there a metro station nearby?
- 手机在床上。The phone is on the bed.
- 钥匙在包里。The keys are in the bag.
- 我住在楼上。I live upstairs.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Where is it? speaking island has 8 everyday questions about where is it? to prepare your own answers to.