How common it is
在于 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say zài yú slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
在于表示事情的关键或原因是什么。
Zài yú biǎoshì shìqing de guānjiàn huò yuányīn shì shénme.
Lie in indicates what the key or reason of a matter is.
Context note
我们常说成功在于努力，意思是努力是成功的原因。
Wǒmen cháng shuō chénggōng zài yú nǔlì, yìsi shì nǔlì shì chénggōng de yuányīn.
We often say success lies in hard work, meaning hard work is the reason for success.
5 examples
快乐在于分享。
kuài lè zài yú fēn xiǎng。
Happiness lies in sharing.
学习在于坚持。
xué xí zài yú jiān chí。
Learning lies in persistence.
友谊在于信任。
yǒu yì zài yú xìn rèn。
Friendship lies in trust.
健康在于运动。
jiàn kāng zài yú yùn dòng。
Health lies in exercise.
进步在于努力。
jìn bù zài yú nǔ lì。
Progress lies in effort.
5 mini stories
小明的成绩好在于他每天复习。他考试得了满分。
xiǎo míng de chéng jì hǎo zài yú tā měi tiān fù xí。 tā kǎo shì dé le mǎn fēn。
Xiao Ming's good grades lie in his daily review. He got full marks on the exam.
小红画画好看在于她经常练习。她画了一朵花。
xiǎo hóng huà huà hǎo kàn zài yú tā jīng cháng liàn xí。 tā huà le yì duǒ huā。
Xiao Hong's beautiful drawings lie in her frequent practice. She drew a flower.
小华跑步快在于他每天锻炼。他参加了跑步比赛。
xiǎo huá pǎo bù kuài zài yú tā měi tiān duàn liàn。 tā cān jiā le pǎo bù bǐ sài。
Xiao Hua's fast running lies in his daily exercise. He joined a running race.
小丽唱歌好听在于她认真学习。她唱了一首儿歌。
xiǎo lì chàng gē hǎo tīng zài yú tā rèn zhēn xué xí。 tā chàng le yì shǒu ér gē。
Xiao Li's good singing lies in her serious learning. She sang a children's song.
小刚写字漂亮在于他耐心练习。他写了一篇日记。
xiǎo gāng xiě zì piào liang zài yú tā nài xīn liàn xí。 tā xiě le yì piān rì jì。
Xiao Gang's beautiful handwriting lies in his patient practice. He wrote a diary entry.