在座 (zài zuò) — to be present (at a meeting, gathering, etc.)

Definition

Formal verb meaning 'to be present' at a gathering or meeting, used mainly about the people attending (often as 在座的各位 'everyone present'). Unlike the similar 在场, it emphasizes seated attendees at a specific occasion rather than anyone on the scene.

verb
to be present (at a meeting, gathering, etc.)

Examples

  • 在座。
    Jīn tiān zài zuò de dōu shì gōng sī de zhòng yào kè hù.
    Everyone present today is an important client of the company.
  • 在座，。
    zài zuò De gè wèi, qǐng ān jìng yí xià.
    Everyone present, please quiet down for a moment.
  • ，在座。
    Tā shì zài chǎng wéi yī de jì zhě, qí tā rén dōu shì zài zuò de jiā bīn.
    He is the only journalist present; the others are all guests in attendance.

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
座zuòseat

在 means be at, and 座 means seat, so 在座 is being at one's seat, present at a gathering.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
广广guǎnghouse on cliff
Sound part声符shēngfú
坐
坐zuò座zuò
Same sound today

座 pairs 广, a house on a cliff, with 坐 to give the sound.

Open 座 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.