放在 (fàng zài) — to put (something) in/on/at (a place)

Definition

放在 is the result/动补 phrase 'put something in/on/at' — the verb 放 (put) plus 在 (a locative marker), so the location comes after 在, not before.

verb

to put (something) in/on/at (a place)

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

放 means put and 在 means at, so put at a place.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

方攵放

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攵Written in full as攴pūhand, action

Sound part声符shēngfú

方

Same sound today

放 uses 方 for its sound and 攵, a hand/action part, to mark an action of release.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Appears in