Preposition: 于 (Formal Time & Place)
介词引出时间处所：于
Use the formal preposition 于 to indicate time, place, and context in written and formal Chinese
Place 于 after the verb to introduce the time or location. Unlike 在, which comes before the verb in everyday speech, 于 follows the verb and belongs to formal, written registers.
于 is one of the most versatile prepositions in classical and formal Chinese. In modern usage, it primarily appears in formal writing, news reports, biographical entries, and academic texts. It can indicate time (出生于1990年), place (生活于北京), and even abstract contexts (属于, 由于, 关于).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 于 (Formal Time & Place) (介词引出时间处所：于)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词引出时间处所：于 pattern
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Understanding 介词引出时间处所：于
于 is the formal, literary counterpart of 在. While 在 is the preposition you use every day — 我在北京住 (I live in Beijing) — 于 appears in formal writing, official documents, news reports, and biographical texts. You would write 他出生于1995年 in a résumé or encyclopedia entry, but say 他1995年出生的 in casual conversation. The key structural difference is position: 在 typically comes before the verb (在北京工作), but 于 comes after it (工作于北京). Beyond time and place, 于 lives inside many important compound words you already know: 由于 (due to), 关于 (regarding), 属于 (belong to), 对于 (as for). Understanding 于 unlocks the logic behind all these words. Mastering 于 is essential for reading Chinese news, academic papers, and formal documents fluently.
Key Points
- 于 (yú) = "at / in / on" — formal preposition for time and place.
- Structural position: verb + 于 + time/place (opposite of 在 + place + verb).
- Used in formal writing: news, biographies, academic papers, official documents.
- Not used in casual spoken Chinese — sounds stiff and unnatural in conversation.
- 于 appears in many compound words: 由于, 关于, 属于, 对于, 至于, 终于.
- Can indicate abstract contexts: 有利于 (beneficial to), 不同于 (different from).
- Very common in biographical data: 出生于, 毕业于, 工作于.
Classical Chinese (文言文) used 于 extensively, and it remains one of the strongest bridges between ancient and modern written Chinese. Understanding 于 helps you read everything from ancient philosophical texts to modern news headlines. It is a mark of educated, formal expression.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他出生于1995年。
He was born in 1995.
Biographical — time
大熊猫主要生活于中国西南地区。
Giant pandas mainly live in southwestern China.
Formal writing — place
这座城市建于公元前200年。
This city was built in 200 BC.
她毕业于北京大学。
She graduated from Peking University.
Common in résumés
会议将于下周一举行。
The meeting will be held next Monday.
Formal announcement
这个问题不同于其他问题。
This problem is different from other problems.
Abstract use — comparison
该项目有利于经济发展。
This project is beneficial to economic development.
Common Mistakes
于 is for formal writing. Going to the supermarket is casual — just use a time word without 于. Using 于 here sounds absurdly formal, like writing a government report about your grocery trip.
Do not combine 在 and 于 — they serve the same function. Also, 于 must be followed by its object (the time or place), not left dangling at the end.
The structure is verb + 于 + place. 于 goes between the verb and the location, not before the verb.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
When reading Chinese news, look for 于 — it appears in almost every article. Recognizing it instantly will speed up your reading.
Learn the common compounds: 由于, 关于, 属于, 对于, 至于 — these are all built from 于 and are extremely high-frequency.
In formal writing, 于 replaces 在 after verbs. Compare: casual 在北京工作 vs. formal 工作于北京.
When writing your Chinese résumé, use 于: 毕业于……, 工作于……, 出生于…… — it sounds professional and polished.
Homework
Write a short formal biography (5-6 sentences) about a real or imaginary person using 于 to indicate time and place of birth, education, and career. Then rewrite the same information in casual spoken Chinese without 于 and compare the register difference.