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HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min read

Direction Words 上, 下, 里, 外, 前, 后

Say where things are, like “on the table” or “in my bag”, by putting 上, 下, 里, 外, 前 or 后 after the noun.

Pattern

noun + 上/下/里/外/前/后; 在 + noun + direction word

In Chinese the direction word comes after the thing: 桌子上 is “on the table”.

杯子在桌子上。

When to use Direction Words 上, 下, 里, 外, 前, 后

These six words show position: 上 “on, above”, 下 “under, below”, 里 “in, inside”, 外 “outside”, 前 “in front of”, 后 “behind”. They come after the noun, the opposite of English: “on the table” is 桌子上, “in the bag” is 书包里. Use them with 在 to say where something is: 杯子在桌子上。

我的手机在书包里。

My phone is in my bag.

妈妈在门外。

Mom is outside the door.

我在楼下等你。

I’m waiting for you downstairs.

外面很冷。

It’s cold outside.

Common traps

  • Put the direction word after the noun: 桌子上, not 上桌子 (that means “get onto the table”).
  • Don’t drop the direction word after an everyday object: 手机在书包里, not 手机在书包.
  • Don’t add 里 after a country or city: 我在中国, not 我在中国里.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

书在桌子 。

The book is on the table
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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