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在于

zài yú
HSK 3.0 Level 5 Verb Common

Definitions

  1. 1. to be in
  2. 2. to lie in
  3. 3. to consist in
  4. 4. to depend on
  5. 5. to rest with

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
无关
wú guān

unrelated

As opposed to 'to lie in'

Related words

1 item
取决于
qǔ jué yú

to hinge on

Related in the sense of dependence or condition

Synonyms

1 item
位于
wèi yú

to be located at

For expressing physical location

Usage notes

Common mistakes

在于 is used to state where something abstract lies, not physical locations (use 在 for physical location).

Formality

在于 is common in formal and written contexts; in speech, simpler structures with 是 or 在 are often preferred.

Example Sentences

2 shown
成功 在于 努力。
Success lies in hard work.
这本书的精髓 在于 最后一章。
The essence of this book lies in the last chapter.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 在于

一年之计在于春
yī nián zhī jì zài yú chūn

the whole year must be planned for in the spring (idiom)

一日之计在于晨
yī rì zhī jì zài yú chén

make your day's plan early in the morning (idiom)

困难在于
kùn nan zài yú

the problem is...

生命在于运动
shēng mìng zài yú yùn dòng

life is motion (popular saying with many possible interpretations)

Child Words of 在于

在
zài

to exist; to be alive

于
yú

(of time or place) in; at; on