介宾补语jièbīn bǔyǔ

Prepositional Complements with 在/到/给/向 (Post-verbal Prepositional Phrases)

Meaning: Post-verbal prepositional phrases indicating location, destination, recipient, or direction

Pattern

Prepositional complements (介宾补语) are post-verbal constructions where a prepositional phrase directly follows the main verb to specify the resulting location, temporal/spatial destination, recipient, or trajectory: \ (1) V + 在 + Location: Denotes the resting place or end-point where the action settles: 住在北京 (live in Beijing), 放在桌子上 (placed on the table), 坐在椅子上 (sit on the chair); \ (2) V + 到 + Location/Time: Denotes the destination reached or time boundary: 走到学校 (walk to school), 工作到晚上十点 (work until 10:00 PM); \ (3) V + 给 + Person: Denotes the recipient of an item or communication: 写信给妈妈 (write a letter to mother), 送给朋友 (gift to a friend); \ (4)

1
我住在上海。
Wǒ zhù zài Shànghǎi.
I live in Shanghai.
2
请把书放在桌子上。
Qǐng bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.
Please put the book on the table.
3
我每天工作到晚上十点。
Wǒ měitiān gōngzuò dào wǎnshang shí diǎn.
I work until ten o'clock in the evening every day.
4
他写了一封信给妈妈。

•Verbs like 住, 放, 坐 mandatorily place prepositional phrases after the verb (住在, 放在, 坐在).

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Erroneously placing the prepositional phrase before verbs like 住, 放, or 坐 instead of after them.

•Omitting the preposition between the verb and the destination/location (e.g., saying 放桌子上 instead of 放在桌子上).

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 4 to master all skills together.