在于 (lies in / consists in)
"The key lies in…"
- to rest with在于 = "lies in / consists in" — points to the crux of something.
- question问题to rest with在于(concept of) time时间 = "the problem lies in time."
- A formal way to name the essential point.
… to rest with在于 …
- to rest with在于 links a topic to where its core really is.
the key关键lies in在于effort努力。
- 关键在于to make an effort努力 = "the key lies in effort."
Practice
The key lies in effort: 关键 ____ 努力。
… 在于 … = lies in: 关键在于努力.
Practice
在于 points to the crux / essential point.
Yes — “the core lies in …”.
Formal / written
- Common with crucial point关键, question问题, cause原因, sense意义.
Explore
Correct or broken?
在于 pins down where the essence lies: the key point IS this.
Practice
在于 most often pairs with which words?
在于 is formal: 关键在于…, 问题在于…, 原因在于….
Recap
Key idea
- … to rest with在于 … — "lies in / consists in" (the crux)
- 关键在于to make an effort努力 · question问题to rest with在于(concept of) time时间
- Formal; pairs with crucial point关键 / question问题 / cause原因
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Verbs.