The expression of existence: “Location + Verb + 着 + Object”

In Chinese, the structure “Location Word + Verb + 着 + Noun Phrase” is used to indicate that something or someone exists or is present in a specific place as a state.

Common verbs used: 放 (fàng — put/placed), 写 (xiě — written), 坐 (zuò — sitting), 住 (zhù — living).

Important rule: The noun phrase must be indefinite (e.g. 一杯咖啡 — a cup of coffee, 一个老师 — a teacher). You CANNOT use definite objects or specific names (e.g. 这本书 — this book, 周经理 — Manager Zhou).

1. Affirmative Form

Location Word + Verb + 着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun

桌(Zhuō)子(zi)上(shàng)放(fàng)着(zhe)一(yì)杯(bēi)咖(kā)啡(fēi)。

There is a cup of coffee on the table.

我(Wǒ)家(jiā)楼(lóu)上(shàng)住(zhù)着(zhe)一(yí)个(gè)老(lǎo)师(shī)。

A teacher lives upstairs in my house.

上(Shàng)面(miàn)写(xiě)着(zhe)320元(yuán)。

It has 320 yuan written on it.

桌(Zhuō)子(zi)上(shàng)放(fàng)着(zhe)很(hěn)多(duō)饮(yǐn)料(liào)。

There are many drinks placed on the table.

2. Negative Form

Location Word + 没 + Verb + 着 + Noun

In the negative form, do NOT use numerals or measure words before the noun!

桌(Zhuō)子(zi)上(shàng)没(méi)放(fàng)着(zhe)咖(kā)啡(fēi)。

There is no coffee on the table.

我(Wǒ)家(jiā)楼(lóu)上(shàng)没(méi)住(zhù)着(zhe)老(lǎo)师(shī)。

There is no teacher living upstairs in my house.

上(Shàng)面(miàn)没(méi)写(xiě)着(zhe)多(duō)少(shao)钱(qián)。

There is no price written on top.

桌(Zhuō)子(zi)上(shàng)没(méi)放(fàng)着(zhe)饮(yǐn)料(liào)。

There are no drinks on the table.