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在场 (zài chǎng) — to be present, to be on the scene (at an event or location)

Definition

在场 means 'to be present' at a place or event, often when something happens. 出席 is more formal and used for planned meetings or conferences; 上场 is for performers or athletes entering a field or stage.

verb
to be presentto be on the scene (at an event or location)

Examples

  • ，在场。
    Shì gù fā shēng shí, tā gāng hǎo zài chǎng.
    He happened to be on the scene when the accident occurred.
  • 在场。
    zài chǎng De měi gè rén dōu kě yǐ zuò zhèng.
    Everyone present can testify.
  • 在场，。
    Nǐ rú guǒ zài chǎng, jiù bāng wǒ shuō míng yí xià.
    If you're present, help me explain a bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

在zàibe at
场chǎngscene/place

在 (be at) and 场 (scene/place) together mean being present 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.

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.

Open 在 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 場; 场 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
昜
昜yáng場chǎng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 場 pairs 土 (earth) with 昜 as a sound part; the simplified 场 is a later abbreviation, so its parts do not have that historical role.

Open 场 →
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