之内 (zhī nèi) — within, inside (after a noun indicating time, space, or scope)
Definition
Literary suffix meaning 'within / inside', attached after a noun to mark a limit of time, space, or scope (e.g. 三天之内, 范围之内). More formal than the everyday 里 or 之内-within-的 structure; it is a written register equivalent of ‘within’.
suffix
withininside (after a noun indicating time, space, or scope)
Examples
- 之内。Qǐng zài sān tiān zhī nèi wán chéng zhè xiàng gōng zuò.Please complete this work within three days.
- 之内。Zhè zuò lóu sān céng zhī nèi dōu yǒu diàn tī.Within the three floors of this building, there are elevators everywhere.
- 之内。Suǒ yǒu xíng wéi dōu bì xū zài fǎ lǜ fàn wéi zhī nèi.All actions must stay within the scope of the law.
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