<p>Both 我出生在XXX。and 我出生于XXX。are right. They have the same meaning.
In my experience with the two words '在' and '于' as a Chinese speaker, they all adpositions which have similar use. Both of them can be used to indicate time and location.
The only different I think between them is '在' is often used in spoken language but '于' is often used in formal occasions. </p>

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2020-07-30T12:30:18.923Z
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/111222/discussion-on-answer-by-masterbee-whats-the-difference-between--and--as-a-pre).
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-21T06:28:25.523Z
2018-11-21T08:19:00.060Z
2018-11-21T08:19:00.060Z
Master Wesley
<p>王得屹's answer is basically correct, <strong>在</strong> is used in <strong>colloquial</strong> sentences more and <strong>于</strong> is used in <strong>literary</strong> sentences more. </p>

<p>I would provide examples to illustrate the point more clearly:</p>

<p>"生(于)中国" = "出生(在)中国" (<em>we don't say 生在中国 because 生 is more literary, 在 is more colloquial, mixing the two make it sound unnatural</em>)</p>

<p>"逝(于)日本" = "(在)日本逝世" (<em>we don't say 逝在日本 because 逝 is more literary, 在 is more colloquial, mixing the two make it sound unnatural; meanwhile, 死 and 在 in 死在日本 are both colloquial terms</em>)</p>

<p>"生于中国" and "逝于日本" are more literary</p>

<p>"出生在中国" and "在日本逝世" / 死在日本 are more colloquial</p>

<p><em>unlike 逝, 逝世 is more suitable for colloquial sentences</em></p>

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2018-11-21T09:35:10.727Z
2018-11-21T09:47:48.567Z
2018-11-21T09:47:48.567Z
Tang Ho
<p>When I was writing a simple paragraph about 自我介绍, I wanted to say that "I was born in XXX."</p>

<p>I wasn't sure about how to say it and then looked for some examples of how to say it in Chinese and came across two characters :</p>

<p>"在" and "于"
(I just knew about 于, I had never paid attention to this character before).</p>

<p>Both can mean "in, on, at" and can be used as a preposition to indicate a location as well.</p>

<p>Now, what's the difference between two characters?</p>

<p>Will there be any difference if I say :</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我出生在XXX。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>and</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我出生于XXX。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>???</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-21T07:02:26.237Z
The tag `simplified-chinese` is specifically for discussing Simplified Chinese characters - please don’t assign it to questions not to do with characters.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-21T12:54:13.433Z
于 always more literary than 在
sfy
<word-choice>
What's the difference between 在 and 于 as a preposition?
# What's the difference between 在 and 于 as a preposition?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-21)

When I was writing a simple paragraph about 自我介绍, I wanted to say that "I was born in XXX."

I wasn't sure about how to say it and then looked for some examples of how to say it in Chinese and came across two characters :

"在" and "于"
(I just knew about 于, I had never paid attention to this character before).

Both can mean "in, on, at" and can be used as a preposition to indicate a location as well.

Now, what's the difference between two characters?

Will there be any difference if I say :

> 我出生在XXX。

and

> 我出生于XXX。

???

Thank you!

**Tags:** word-choice

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The tag `simplified-chinese` is specifically for discussing Simplified Chinese characters - please don’t assign it to questions not to do with characters.  
> **username_2**: 于 always more literary than 在  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2018-11-21. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

王得屹's answer is basically correct, **在** is used in **colloquial** sentences more and **于** is used in **literary** sentences more.

I would provide examples to illustrate the point more clearly:

"生(于)中国" = "出生(在)中国" (*we don't say 生在中国 because 生 is more literary, 在 is more colloquial, mixing the two make it sound unnatural*)

"逝(于)日本" = "(在)日本逝世" (*we don't say 逝在日本 because 逝 is more literary, 在 is more colloquial, mixing the two make it sound unnatural; meanwhile, 死 and 在 in 死在日本 are both colloquial terms*)

"生于中国" and "逝于日本" are more literary

"出生在中国" and "在日本逝世" / 死在日本 are more colloquial

*unlike 逝, 逝世 is more suitable for colloquial sentences*


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### Answer by username_3 on 2018-11-21. Score: 2

Both 我出生在XXX。and 我出生于XXX。are right. They have the same meaning.
In my experience with the two words '在' and '于' as a Chinese speaker, they all adpositions which have similar use. Both of them can be used to indicate time and location.
The only different I think between them is '在' is often used in spoken language but '于' is often used in formal occasions.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/111222/discussion-on-answer-by-masterbee-whats-the-difference-between--and--as-a-pre).  

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