Meaning of 在场
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to be present; to be on the scene
How to use 在场
在场 describes people who are physically present at an event, meeting, or incident. It often appears as 在场的人 (the people present) or 在场的所有人 (everyone present). Example: 事故发生时，他不在场。(Shìgù fāshēng shí, tā bù zàichǎng.) He was not at the scene when the accident happened.
在 (zài) means to be at a place, and 场 (chǎng) means a field or venue, like in 机场 (jīchǎng) airport. So 在场 is simply being at the place where something happens.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes add a location after it, as in 我在场会议. This is wrong because 在场 already includes the place. Say 我在会议现场 or 开会时我在场 instead. Also keep the tone on 场 as third tone (chǎng), not second tone (cháng).
在场 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
在 zài · to exist · 6 strokes
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场 chǎng · large place used for a specific purpose · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 在场.
| 现在 | xiànzài | now; at present; currently |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing |
| 在家 | zàijiā | to be at home; (at a workplace) to be in (as opposed to being away on official business 出差 |
| 机场 | jīchǎng | airport; airfield; (slang) service provider for Shadowsocks or similar software for circum |
| 商场 | shāngchǎng | shopping mall; shopping center |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 广场 | guǎngchǎng | public square; plaza |
| 停车场 | tíngchēchǎng | parking lot; car park |
| 球场 | qiúchǎng | stadium; sports ground |
| 体育场 | tǐyùchǎng | stadium |
| 存在 | cúnzài | to exist; to be |
| 现场 | xiànchǎng | the scene (of a crime, accident etc); (on) the spot |
Questions about 在场
What does 在场 mean?
在场 (zàichǎng) means "to be present; to be on the scene" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 在场?
在场 is made of 2 characters: 在 (6 strokes), 场 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 在场 an HSK word?
Yes. 在场 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 在场 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 在场 is written 在場.
What is the difference between 在场 and 出席?
出席 (chūxí) means to formally attend a meeting or ceremony, often as an invited guest. 在场 just means being physically there, whether you were invited or happened to be passing by.
How do you say alibi using 在场?
The common phrase is 不在场证明 (bù zàichǎng zhèngmíng), literally proof of not being present. You will hear it often in crime dramas and detective novels.