在于

zài yú

HSK 3.0 Level 5 Verb Common

Definitions

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

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 无关 wú guān 无关 wú guān unrelated As opposed to 'to lie in': unrelated

Related words

1 item

• 取决于 qǔ jué yú 取决于 qǔ jué yú to hinge on Related in the sense of dependence or condition: to hinge on

Synonyms

1 item

• 位于 wèi yú 位于 wèi yú to be located at For expressing physical location: to be located at

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 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 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 困难在于 kùn nan zài yú: the problem is...
• 生命在于运动 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 在 zài: to exist; to be alive
• 于 于 yú: (of time or place) in; at; on