坐
zuò
Sit
坐 (zuò) is the primary verb for 'to sit' in Mandarin Chinese. It's used for the action of sitting down, being seated, or even taking a specific type of transportation like a bus or train.
When to use it
Neutral. To politely invite someone to sit, use 请坐 (qǐng zuò), meaning 'please sit.' 坐下 (zuò xià) is often used as a direct command, similar to 'sit down!'
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “dzwoh” or “tswoh” with a falling tone (like saying 'ts' then 'woah' quickly and dropping your voice).
Other ways to say it
- 请坐qǐng zuòplease sit
- 坐下zuò xiàsit down (often a command)
- 坐着zuò zhesitting (in the state of sitting)
Examples
请坐这里。
qǐng zuò zhè lǐ 。
Please sit here.
他坐在椅子上。
tā zuò zài yǐ zi shàng 。
He is sitting on the chair.
我们坐公交车去吧。
wǒ men zuò gōng jiāo chē qù ba 。
Let's take the bus.
Pro tip: Beyond just 'sitting,' 坐 is also used for 'taking' or 'riding' certain forms of transportation, like 坐飞机 (zuò fēijī, 'take a plane') or 坐火车 (zuò huǒchē, 'take a train').
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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