在 (zài)
to exist; to be alive; (of sb or sth) to be (located) at; (used before
- HSK 3.1 level 1
- 6 strokes
Etymology
Composed of 才 and 士, which both represent the sound.
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》:“在,存也。从土,才聲。”
Components
- 才 (sound)
- 士 (sound) — Modern form looks like 土, but is unrelated.