nǐmen zài nǎr?

Where are you?

Breakdown of nǐmen zài nǎr?

• 在zài: to be at
• 你们nǐmen: you (plural)
• 哪儿nǎr: where

Questions & Answers about nǐmen zài nǎr?

Is 哪儿 (nǎr) the same as 哪里 (nǎlǐ)? Are they interchangeable?

Yes. Both mean “where.”

• 哪儿 is common in northern Mainland Mandarin (erhua).
• 哪里 is common in the south and in Taiwan. They’re interchangeable in meaning; pick the one that matches your region/audience.

Why use 在 instead of 是 here?

在 expresses location (“be at/in/on”). 是 is for identity/equation.

• Asking current location: 你们在哪儿？
• Asking origin/identity: 你们是哪里人？ or 你们从哪儿来？

Do I add 吗 at the end?

No. Wh‑questions (with 哪儿/哪里/谁/什么 etc.) don’t take 吗.
You can add 呢 to soften: 你们在哪儿呢？ (more gentle/inquisitive).

How do I pronounce 哪儿? Is it two syllables?

It’s one syllable: nǎr (third tone with an r‑colored ending). Don’t say nǎ ér as two syllables. Lightly curl the tongue at the end for the “r” sound.

What are the tones in the whole sentence? Any tone sandhi?

Pinyin: nǐmen zài nǎr → 3 (neutral) 4 3.
No third‑tone sandhi here because the 3rd tones aren’t adjacent. In natural speech, the final 3rd tone is often a “half‑third.”

Can I drop 在 and say 你们哪儿？?

No. For location, you need 在: 你们在哪儿？
Without 在, it sounds incomplete or shifts meaning (e.g., 你们哪儿的？ = “Where are you from (which place)?”).

Can I omit the subject and just say 在哪儿？?

Yes, if context makes the subject obvious (e.g., on a call with the group). Otherwise, keep 你们 for clarity.

How can I make this more polite/formal?

• Add 请问: 请问，你们现在在哪里？
• Use respectful forms for the addressee: 请问，贵公司在哪里？
• For one person: 请问，您在哪儿？

Is 您们 acceptable for polite plural “you”?

It’s uncommon/avoided in standard usage. Prefer:

• 各位/大家 (addressing a group), or
• For two people: 两位/二位.
  Use 你们 for neutral plural; 您 for singular polite.

Does 在 ever mean “be doing (progressive)”?

Yes. Before a verb, 在 marks ongoing action: 我们在开会 (We’re in a meeting).
In your sentence, 在 is the locative verb: 在 + place/哪儿 = “be at (where).”

Where do time words go? Is 你们现在在哪儿？ correct?

Both are fine:

• 你们现在在哪儿？
• 现在你们在哪儿？
  Time words usually come early; both orders are natural.

What are some synonyms/alternatives to 在哪儿?

• 在哪里 (neutral/standard)
• 在什么地方 (neutral, a bit fuller)
• 在何处/何地 (formal/written)
• 在哪边/哪一边 (more common in Taiwan; also “which side/direction”)

How would people naturally answer?

Examples:

• 我们在公司。 (We’re at the office.)
• 在三楼。 (On the 3rd floor.)
• 在地铁上。 (On the subway.)
• 还在路上。 (Still on the way.)
• 在你们楼下。 (Downstairs at your place.)

What about texting forms like 在吗？ vs 在哪儿？?

• 在吗？ = “Are you there/available?” (presence/availability)
• 在哪儿？ = “Where are you?” (location)
  If asking progress on a trip: 你们到哪儿了？ (“How far along/where have you reached?”)

What intonation should I use?

Wh‑questions typically have a falling or level‑falling intonation at the end. Adding 呢/啊 often softens the tone: 你们在哪儿啊？ sounds more casual.

Is 哪儿 (nǎr) different from 那儿 (nàr)?

Yes:

• 哪儿 (nǎr) = where (3rd tone)
• 那儿 (nàr) = there (4th tone)
  Be careful with the tone; they’re minimal pairs.

Any notes about characters across regions?

• Mainland simplified: 哪儿/哪里
• Taiwan traditional: 哪裡 (rarely 哪兒; the r‑form isn’t common in Taiwan speech)
  Meaning stays the same.