Meaning of 存在
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to exist
- to be
- existence
How to use 存在
存在 works as a verb meaning "to exist" and also as a noun meaning "existence." It often appears in formal or written Chinese, especially when talking about problems, risks, or differences. Example: 这个问题一直存在。(Zhège wèntí yīzhí cúnzài.) This problem has always existed.
存 (cún) means to keep or store, as in 保存 (bǎocún), and 在 (zài) means to be somewhere. Something that is kept and is still there is something that exists.
Common mistake: Learners often use 存在 to say where someone is, as in 他存在家里. That is wrong. For location, use plain 在, as in 他在家 (tā zài jiā). Also keep the tones straight: cún is second tone, and zài is fourth.
存在 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.
存 cún · to exist · 6 strokes
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在 zài · to exist · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 存在.
| 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 |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 生存 | shēngcún | to exist; to survive |
| 保存 | bǎocún | to conserve; to preserve; to keep; to store; (computing) to save (a file etc) |
| 不在乎 | bùzàihu | not to care |
| 在乎 | zàihu | to rest with; to lie in; to be due to (a certain attribute); (often used in the negative) |
| 在于 | zàiyú | to rest with; to lie in; to be due to (a certain attribute); (of a matter) to be determine |
| 在场 | zàichǎng | to be present; to be on the scene |
| 所在 | suǒzài | place; location |
| 处在 | chǔzài | to be situated at; to find oneself at |
Questions about 存在
What does 存在 mean?
存在 (cúnzài) means "to exist; to be" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 存在?
存在 is made of 2 characters: 存 (6 strokes), 在 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 存在 an HSK word?
Yes. 存在 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 存在 and 生存?
存在 (cúnzài) means simply to exist, and it can describe things, ideas, or problems. 生存 (shēngcún) means to survive or stay alive, so it is used for living beings in hard conditions.
Can 存在 be followed by an object?
Yes. A common pattern is 存在 + a noun, as in 存在问题 (cúnzài wèntí), "there are problems." You can also say 存在着 to stress an ongoing state: 两国之间存在着差异 (liǎng guó zhījiān cúnzàizhe chāyì), "there are differences between the two countries."