位于

• Pinyin: wèi yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 位 = 亻(person) + 立 (stand), one who stands in a place; 于 = a preposition character indicating location

Meaning

To be located at; to be situated in.

A formal verb used to indicate the geographical or physical location of a place or object. Commonly found in written descriptions, geography texts, and introductions to places. Not typically used for people or moving things.

Examples

1. 这座城市位于中国的东南部。 This city is located in the south-east of China.
2. 学校位于市中心，交通非常方便。 The school is situated in the city centre, making transport very convenient.
3. 那家餐厅位于商场的三楼。 That restaurant is located on the third floor of the shopping centre.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, writing, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 故宫位于北京市中心。(The Palace Museum is located in the centre of Beijing.)
• 公司位于开发区内。(The company is situated within the development zone.)

Don't Say

• 他位于教室里。(Don't use 位于 for people's physical presence — use 在 instead; 位于 describes fixed locations of places or buildings.)

Origin & History

Compound of 位 (position, place) and 于 (at, in — a formal preposition), meaning 'to be positioned at.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal