On the topic of…

Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the phrases “在 zài… 方面 fāngmiàn”, “在 zài… 上 shàng”, “在 zài… 中 zhōng”, and “在 zài… 下 xià” are often used to introduce topics or specify aspects of a discussion. 

Structure

在 zài… 方面 fāngmiàn

This phrase is used to talk about specific aspects or fields. It can be translated as “in the aspect of” or “in terms of.”

在zài學習xuéxí方面fāngmiàn， 他tā表現biǎoxiàn得de很hěn好hǎo在zài学习xuéxí方面fāngmiàn， 他tā表现biǎoxiàn得de很hěn好hǎo
In terms of studying, he performs very well.

在zài科技kējì方面fāngmiàn， 中國Zhōngguó的de發展fāzhǎn非常fēicháng迅速xùnsù在zài科技kējì方面fāngmiàn， 中国Zhōngguó的de发展fāzhǎn非常fēicháng迅速xùnsù
In terms of technology, China’s development is very rapid.

在zài語法yǔfǎ方面fāngmiàn， 你nǐ應該yīnggāi多duō加jiā練習liànxí在zài语法yǔfǎ方面fāngmiàn， 你nǐ应该yīnggāi多duō加jiā练习liànxí
In terms of grammar, you should practice more.

我wǒ的de理想lǐxiǎng型xíng在zài個性gèxìng方面fāngmiàn， 要yào是shì一個yíge會huì朝zhāo著zhù目標mùbiāo前進qiánjìn的de人rén我wǒ的de理想lǐxiǎng型xíng在zài个性gèxìng方面fāngmiàn， 要yào是shì一个yíge会huì朝zhāo着zhe目标mùbiāo前进qiánjìn的de人rén
My ideal type, in terms of personality, is someone who moves towards their goals.

在 zài… 上 shàng

This phrase can be used similarly to “在 zài… 方面 fāngmiàn,” often indicating a certain domain or aspect. It can be translated as “in the area of” or “regarding.”

在zài工作gōngzuò上shàng， 他tā非常fēicháng認真rènzhēn在zài工作gōngzuò上shàng， 他tā非常fēicháng认真rènzhēn
In the area of work, he is very diligent.

在zài生活shēnghuó上shàng， 他們tāmen總是zǒngshì相互xiānghù支持zhīchí在zài生活shēnghuó上shàng， 他们tāmen总是zǒngshì相互xiānghù支持zhīchí
In life, they always support each other.

在zài口說kǒushuō上shàng， 你nǐ可以kěyǐ找zhǎo一個yíge語言yǔyán交換jiāohuàn朋友péngyǒu來lái練習liànxí在zài口说kǒushuō上shàng， 你nǐ可以kěyǐ找zhǎo一个yíge语言yǔyán交换jiāohuàn朋友péngyou来lái练习liànxí
Regarding speaking, you can find a language exchange partner to practice with.

我wǒ的de理想lǐxiǎng型xíng在zài工作gōngzuò上shàng需要xūyào有yǒu一定yídìng的de成就chéngjiù我wǒ的de理想lǐxiǎng型xíng在zài工作gōngzuò上shàng需要xūyào有yǒu一定yídìng的de成就chéngjiù
My ideal type needs to have certain achievements in their career.

在 zài… 中 zhōng

This phrase is used to indicate something within a certain context or during a certain period. It can be translated as “during” or “in.”

在zài討論tǎolùn中zhōng， 我們wǒmen發現fāxiàn了le這個zhège問題wèntí在zài讨论tǎolùn中zhōng， 我们wǒmen发现fāxiàn了le这个zhège问题wèntí
During the discussion, we discovered this issue.

在zài旅行lǚxíng中zhōng， 他們tāmen遇到yùdào了le很hěn多duō有趣yǒuqù的de事情shìqíng在zài旅行lǚxíng中zhōng， 他们tāmen遇到yùdào了le很hěn多duō有趣yǒuqù的de事情shìqing
During the trip, they encountered many interesting things.

在zài學習xuéxí中文zhōngwén的de過程guòchéng中zhōng， 如果rúguǒ有yǒu問題wèntí都dōu可以kěyǐ來lái問wèn我wǒ在zài学习xuéxí中文zhōngwén的de过程guòchéng中zhōng， 如果rúguǒ有yǒu问题wèntí都dōu可以kěyǐ来lái问wèn我wǒ
During the process of learning Chinese, you can come to me with any questions.

在zài跟gēn他tā的de第一次dìyīcì約會yuēhuì中zhōng， 我wǒ發現fāxiàn了le他tā是shì個ge騙子piànzi在zài跟gēn他tā的de第一次dìyīcì约会yuēhuì中zhōng， 我wǒ发现fāxiàn了le他tā是shì个ge骗子piànzi
During our first date, I discovered he was a liar.

在 zài… 下 xià

This phrase is often used to indicate something happening under certain conditions or circumstances. It can be translated as “under.”

在zài這zhè種zhǒng情況qíngkuàng下xià， 我們wǒmen需要xūyào改變gǎibiàn計劃jìhuà在zài这zhè种zhǒng情况qíngkuàng下xià， 我们wǒmen需要xūyào改变gǎibiàn计划jìhuá
Under these circumstances, we need to change our plan.

在zài壓力yālì下xià， 他tā仍然réngrán表現biǎoxiàn得de很hěn好hǎo在zài压力yālì下xià， 他tā仍然réngrán表现biǎoxiàn得de很hěn好hǎo
Under pressure, he still performs well.

在zài資本主義zīběnzhǔyì的de指導zhǐdǎo下xià， 你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén一定yídìng會huì越來越yuèláiyuè好hǎo在zài资本主义zīběnzhǔyì的de指导zhǐdǎo下xià， 你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén一定yídìng会huì越来越yuèláiyuè好hǎo
Under the guidance of capitalism, your Chinese will definitely improve.

在zài他tā的de說服shuìfú下xià， 我wǒ成為chéngwéi了le他tā的de夥伴huǒbàn一起yìqǐ騙人piànrén在zài他tā的de说服shuōfú下xià， 我wǒ成为chéngwéi了le他tā的de伙伴huǒbàn一起yìqǐ骗人piànrén
Under his persuasion, I became his partner in deceiving people.

Summary

• 在 zài… 方面 fāngmiàn: In terms of / in the aspect of
• 在 zài… 上 shàng: In the area of / regarding
• 在 zài… 中 zhōng: During / in
• 在 zài… 下 xià: Under