Fixed pattern “在……上 / 中 / 下”

The pattern “在……上 / 中 / 下” is built from the preposition 在 and the locative words 上, 中 and 下.

It can express a field or aspect, a time or setting, or a condition or influence.

1. 在……上 — “in terms of … / when it comes to …”

Basic Structure

在 + Noun / Noun Phrase + 上

This form points to the field, aspect or side of something.

In English it usually comes out as:

in terms of … when it comes to … as regards …

在(Zài)学(xué)习(xí)上(shàng)，遇(yù)到(dào)什(shén)么(me)问(wèn)题(tí)都(dōu)可(kě)以(yǐ)问(wèn)我(wǒ)。

When it comes to your studies, you can ask me about any problem you run into.

Structure

在 + 学习 + 上在学习上 — when it comes to studying 遇到什么问题 — whatever problem you run into 都可以问我 — you can ask me about all of it

在(Zài)工(gōng)作(zuò)上(shàng)，他(tā)总(zǒng)是(shì)能(néng)给(gěi)我(wǒ)很(hěn)多(duō)帮(bāng)助(zhù)。

When it comes to work, he can always give me a lot of help.

Structure

在 + 工作 + 上在工作上 — in terms of work 他 — he 总是 — always 能给我很多帮助 — can give me a lot of help

2. 在……中 — “during … / in the course of …”

Basic Structure

在 + …… + 中

This form points to the setting or the time in which an action happens or a state holds.

In English it comes out as:

during … in the course of … in the process of …

在(Zài)比(bǐ)赛(sài)中(zhōng)，他(tā)得(dé)分(fēn)最(zuì)高(gāo)。

During the match he scored the highest.

Structure

在 + 比赛 + 中在比赛中 — during the match 他 — he 得分最高 — scored the highest

在(Zài)假(jià)期(qī)中(zhōng)，我(wǒ)认(rèn)识(shi)了(le)几(jǐ)个(ge)新(xīn)朋(péng)友(you)。

During the holidays I made several new friends.

Structure

在 + 假期 + 中在假期中 — during the holidays 我 — I 认识了 — got to know 几个新朋友 — several new friends

3. 在……下 — “under the influence of … / with the help of … / under … conditions”

Basic Structure

在 + a modified two-syllable verb + 下

This form points to a condition or circumstance.

In English, depending on the context:

under the influence of … with the help of … under … conditions

在(Zài)她(tā)的(de)影(yǐng)响(xiǎng)下(xià)，我(wǒ)开(kāi)始(shǐ)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)拍(pāi)照(zhào)。

Under her influence I started to enjoy taking photos.

Structure

在 + 她的影响 + 下在她的影响下 — under her influence 我 — I 开始 — to begin 喜欢拍照 — to enjoy taking photos

在(Zài)老(lǎo)师(shī)的(de)帮(bāng)助(zhù)下(xià)，我(wǒ)的(de)成(chéng)绩(jì)提(tí)高(gāo)很(hěn)快(kuài)。

With the teacher's help my marks improved very quickly.

Structure

在 + 老师的帮助 + 下在老师的帮助下 — with the teacher's help 我的成绩 — my marks 提高很快 — improved very quickly

Quick Summary

在……上

在 + Noun / Noun Phrase + 上

Meaning: in terms of … / when it comes to …

Examples:

在(zài)学(xué)习(xí)上(shàng)when it comes to studying

在(zài)工(gōng)作(zuò)上(shàng)when it comes to work

在……中

在 + …… + 中

Meaning: during … / in the course of …

Examples:

在(zài)比(bǐ)赛(sài)中(zhōng)during the match

在(zài)假(jià)期(qī)中(zhōng)during the holidays

在……下

在 + …… + 下

Meaning: under … conditions / under the influence of … / with the help of …

Examples:

在(zài)她(tā)的(de)影(yǐng)响(xiǎng)下(xià)under her influence

在(zài)老(lǎo)师(shī)的(de)帮(bāng)助(zhù)下(xià)with the teacher's help