TongTong
Sign in

所在 (suǒ zài) — location; whereabouts; (after a noun) the place where something is located (often used figuratively)

Definition

所在 names where something is located, often used after a noun to mean 'the place where...' (问题所在 = 'the source/root of the problem'). Unlike 场所, it refers abstractly to a location tied to a specific thing, not a type of place.

noun
locationwhereabouts(after a noun) the place where something is located (often used figuratively)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 所在。
    Tā men de suǒ zài zài shì zhōng xīn.
    Their location is in the city center.
  • 所在。
    Tā zhǎo dào le wèn tí suǒ zài.
    He found the root of the problem.
  • 所在。
    Tā de gōng zuò suǒ zài shì tú shū guǎn.
    Her workplace is the library.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

所suǒthe thing involved
在zàibe located

所 points to the thing involved and 在 adds be located, giving the place where something is.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斤斤jīnaxe
Sound part声符shēngfú
戶
戶hù所suǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Open 所 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract Concepts3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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