居于 jūyú to be in (a position)
to be in (a position); to occupy
How to remember 居于: 居 to live + 于 at = to be in (a position).
Characters
How it is used
- Formal verb for occupying a position or rank - 中国居于世界领先地位 (Zhōngguó jūyú shìjiè lǐngxiān dìwèi) China occupies a leading position in the world.
- Almost always takes an abstract 'position' object: 居于首位 (rank first), 居于劣势 (be at a disadvantage), 居于主导地位. Not used for physically living somewhere - for that use 住在.
- Written/reportorial register; in speech people say 处于 (chǔyú) for a general state, while 居于 leans specifically toward rank or standing.