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在
Character learning workspace

zài · at, in, on

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #5
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Learn every stroke in 在

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 在 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

在
Complete decomposition unavailableThe shape 土 is indexed inside 在, but it is not the whole character.
Writing notes

Shape and proportion

6Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Upper-left enclosureCharacter structure

Keep the outer frame stable without crowding the enclosed strokes.

土Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 在 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 在

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

zàiWords pronounced zài
zaiWords pronounced zai
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 在 sits in each complete thought.

Dé le! nǐ nòng dé tā bú zì zài le!得了！你弄得她不自在了！

Stop it! You're making her feel uncomfortable!

Source: Tatoeba #334912 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ juéde nǐ zhèng zài zuò de shì cuò de.我觉得你正在做的是错的。

I think that what you're doing is wrong.

Source: Tatoeba #8795145 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yào bú zài le, nà wǒ jiù bú zài le.你要不在了，那我就不在了。

If you were gone, I'd die.

Source: Tatoeba #3657303 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ jiù shì zài zhè dé dào tā de.我就是在这得到它的。

I've got it right here.

Source: Tatoeba #4353685 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhǐshì zài zuò wǒ gāi zuò de我只是在做我该做的

I am simply doing what I am supposed to.

Source: Tatoeba #13839301 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ yě méi xiǎng dào wǒ huì zài zhè lǐ.我也没想到我会在这里。

I didn't expect to be here either.

Source: Tatoeba #7837566 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 在 in context

  1. Say zài, then recall the core meaning: at, in, on.
  2. Write all 6 strokes while keeping the upper-left enclosure balanced.
  3. Use it in 现在 (xiàn zài), meaning “now”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 在 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.