<p>They both mean to "stay in." But one has better connotations than the other.  </p>

<p>"待" means "to serve" or to "wait on." As such, it connotes a certain level of alertness. 
To "待在" in cold weather is a smart, alert, thing to do.</p>

<p>"呆" means "stupid" or "idle." To "呆在" suggests that you are hanging or "idling" around, because you have nothing better to do, not because (as in the previous paragraph) it is the "right" thing to do. It's more of a homonym or pun on "待在" than anything else.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-09T17:46:16.547Z
2012-09-09T17:46:16.547Z
Tom Au
<p>“呆在” is definitely incorrect for your context. You may say "一听到这个消息，他就呆在了那里，好久都没有动一下" to emphasize that he has been shocked by the news. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-16T21:58:16.897Z
Where are you from? In mainland dictionaries, `呆` has an entry for the meaning "to stay" (although as evidenced by PIMGeek's [answer](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html), that meaning is more recently acquired).
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-16T20:04:07.260Z
2012-09-16T20:04:07.260Z
pitfall
<ol>
<li><p>一般来说中文里会用“待在”而不是“呆在”，“待在”强调的是“stay”这种状态，强调的是身体，而“呆”强调的是“mind is empty”，强调的是思维停滞。</p></li>
<li><p>不要过分相信iciba之类的网络翻译工具，有条件的话还是买一本纸质字典会更有权威</p></li>
<li><p>还有什么疑问欢迎继续留言共同探讨</p></li>
</ol>

<hr>

<ol>
<li><p>Generally speaking, you can use 待在 or 呆在 in Chinese. 待在 emphasizes "staying" in the current state, while 呆在 emphasizes "emptying the mind".</p></li>
<li><p>Don't put too much faith in iciba and similar online translation services. Sometimes you just need to buy an authoritative dictionary.</p></li>
<li><p>If you still have questions, please leave a comment so we can search together.</p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-11T16:50:49.137Z
1. 你误会了。我是问“待”和“呆”的混用情况的来源是什么。其实，我写得很清楚："I'm __not__ asking which you think is correct". 2. 我引用了iciba之所以是因为我要证明真的有人用“呆”表达这个意思。3. 你自己没有查字典吗？汉语大字典：呆-dai1-停留；居住 4. PIM Geek已经[回答](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html)我的问题.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-12T14:53:41.947Z
我认为 @ZhenchaoJia 的回答中**有两点值得称赞的地方**:

1. 不满足于"单一的网络信息渠道"
2. "愿意继续探讨"

为何没有给出合宜的答案? 究其原因, 问题看起来简单, 实则需要仔细分析才能理解问题的意思. 我之所以 upvote 这个问题, 是因为它能刺激人思考"为何我**以前一直没发现**这两个字起源上的区别".
pimgeek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-12T16:40:29.207Z
To @ZhenchaoJia : please try to use English to revise your answer. 
Your intellectual effort is recognized: 
1. "do not rely too much on a single online resource." 
2. "will go on discussing with others."
keep your word, my pal. :)
pimgeek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-12T18:21:27.983Z
我不是生 @ZhenchaoJia 的气。只是有几个人没看清楚我的问题，就回答。
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-11T10:43:33.317Z
2012-09-14T20:02:12.200Z
2012-09-14T20:02:12.200Z
Zhenchao Jia
<p>语法上“呆在”是错误的，只是用的人比较多，而且大家也理解（句号）</p>

<hr>

<p>“呆在” is a grammatical error, simply a very common one. However, everyone understands it. (Period.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-11T13:49:53.143Z
2012-09-11T19:49:33.560Z
2012-09-11T19:49:33.560Z
SYC
<p>I was just about to ask a similar question - but all of the answers here seem to baffle me a bit. When looking through some dictionaries I came across the entry for <code>待</code> in <code>现代汉语词典</code> which says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>同“呆”③。 现在一般写作“呆”。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>“呆”③:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>停留; 逗留</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So apart from referencing <code>呆</code> as the definition to <code>待</code> they also claim that <code>呆</code> is the new 'norm' for "to stay". <code>现代汉语词典</code> is based on the mainland though - so perhaps it's just a mainland thing...but I still find this whole thing quite confusing myself.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-04T07:55:32.770Z
2014-05-04T07:55:32.770Z
Mou某
<p><strong>Reference Materials about the differences between / origins of the 2 confusing words:</strong></p>

<ol>
<li><p>from online newspaper - <a href="http://www.gmw.cn/content/2006-01/10/content_357528.htm">光明网</a></p>

<ul>
<li><p><strong>conclusion in translation:</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>one should use "待在" to express "to stay"</li>
</ul></li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>from research materials - <a href="http://www.cqvip.com/Read/Read.aspx?id=37286546#">中国知网</a></p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html">a Chinese blog containing the full-text of "中国知网" paper</a></p>

<p><strong>conclusion in translation:</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>the 2 Chinese characters are different in meaning</li>
<li>it's not until ming/qing dynasty, did "待" have the meaning: "to stay". </li>
<li>it's not until modern/contemporary times, did "呆" have the meaning: "to stay".</li>
</ul></li>
</ul></li>
</ol>

<p><strong>initial answer:</strong></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>"待在" is more acceptable than "呆在".</strong></p>
  
  <p>to judge by logic:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>待 has another meaning "to wait", which is closer to "to stay", because the two actions usually happens at the same time.</li>
  <li>呆 has another meaning "stupid, idle", if you use "呆在", one may imagine somebody "to stay without doing anything actively", which
  usually connects to a negative impression.</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>to judge by reference sites:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>in taiwan, education resource like this <a href="http://dict.mini.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gdic/gsweb.cgi?ccd=FDxH7N&amp;o=sjmpage&amp;jmpage=1&amp;ckmod=50&amp;searchq=word%3D%22%E5%91%86%22">国语小字典</a>
  doesn't contain "to stay" as a meaning for "呆". </li>
  <li>you can also check the two words on <a href="http://zhongwen.com/m/search.htm">中文.com</a> to verify.</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>So, it will be more widely(both mainland and tw) accepted if you use "待在" to express "to stay".</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T13:27:39.507Z
-1: This is explicitly *not* what the OP asked for.
Alf
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T14:41:13.603Z
+1 because he pointed out the subtle differences which the OP may not be aware of. In this case, 呆 refers to idling, while 待 refers to hanging out. 呆 cannot be applied to many scenarios where 待 is applicable. Sentences such as 他们整天和朋友们呆在外面 is not acceptable when you are trying to convey a message that they spend the whole day hanging out with friends (playing games, etc).
杨以轩
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T15:55:03.593Z
Thanks for both of your kind comments! 

I agree that I did not follow the OP's questions strictly, coz if I don't focus on "acceptance level", but try to follow every "? mark", my answer may be pointless for readers.
And I believe others will offer other points of view, if my answer is not relevant enough. :)
pimgeek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T19:47:35.227Z
Two things: 1. I'm not asking for how you think they're different. Also, if you want to show that they _are_ different, I would need to see data that justifies it. I've heard about this alleged difference before, but the sentences I've seen show that people use them interchangeably. 2. That the 国语小字典 only lists one __is__ useful. It suggests that 待 came first, and 呆 was a substitution. Further evidence along those lines would get some upvotes.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-05T03:54:57.817Z
[1]: from mass media - [光明网](http://www.gmw.cn/content/2006-01/10/content_357528.htm)
[2]: research materials - [中国知网](http://mall.cnki.net/magazine/Article/DQGZ201102022.htm) ==> [some blog citing the full-text of this article](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html)
pimgeek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-05T04:05:10.270Z
**abridged text in translation:**
the 2 Chinese characters are different in meaning, 
it's not until ming/qing dynasty, did "待" have the meaning of "to stay".
it's not until modern/contemporary times, did "呆" have the meaning of "to stay"
pimgeek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-05T05:13:56.093Z
These materials look really promising; I'll look over them and get back to you.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-06T01:29:57.170Z
Okay, awesome. I accepted it.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T08:36:35.007Z
2012-09-05T05:38:46.583Z
2012-09-05T05:38:46.583Z
pimgeek
<p>Both <code>呆在</code> and <code>待在</code> are acceptable ways of writing <code>dai1 zai4</code> meaning &quot;stay at/in&quot;. For instance, a couple sentences from <a href="http://dj.iciba.com" rel="noreferrer">iciba</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。 Because of the cold weather, we stayed at home.</p>
<p>他们整天和朋友们待在外边。 They stay out(side) all day with their friends.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, which one of these came first? Where did the alternative come from? Was it originally a 错别字 which gained acceptance?</p>
<p>[I would like to emphasize that I'm <strong>not</strong> asking which you think is correct. They're both widely used; they're both pronounced the same; and there's no stable difference in usage (subjective impressions != usage).]</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-23T14:18:02.927Z
I find an article where the history of the 2 phrases is well explained:  http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html
mckelvin
<mandarin><etymology>
Origin of 呆在 vs 待在
# Origin of 呆在 vs 待在

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-04)

Both `呆在` and `待在` are acceptable ways of writing `dai1 zai4` meaning "stay at/in". For instance, a couple sentences from [iciba](http://dj.iciba.com):

> 我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。 Because of the cold weather, we stayed at home.
>
> 他们整天和朋友们待在外边。 They stay out(side) all day with their friends.

So, which one of these came first? Where did the alternative come from? Was it originally a 错别字 which gained acceptance?

[I would like to emphasize that I'm **not** asking which you think is correct. They're both widely used; they're both pronounced the same; and there's no stable difference in usage (subjective impressions != usage).]

**Tags:** mandarin, etymology
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I find an article where the history of the 2 phrases is well explained:  http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2012-09-04. Score: 13 | Accepted answer

**Reference Materials about the differences between / origins of the 2 confusing words:**

1. from online newspaper - [光明网](http://www.gmw.cn/content/2006-01/10/content_357528.htm)

   * **conclusion in translation:**

     + one should use "待在" to express "to stay"
2. from research materials - [中国知网](http://www.cqvip.com/Read/Read.aspx?id=37286546#)

   * [a Chinese blog containing the full-text of "中国知网" paper](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html)

     **conclusion in translation:**

     + the 2 Chinese characters are different in meaning
     + it's not until ming/qing dynasty, did "待" have the meaning: "to stay".
     + it's not until modern/contemporary times, did "呆" have the meaning: "to stay".

**initial answer:**

> **"待在" is more acceptable than "呆在".**
>
> to judge by logic:
>
> 1. 待 has another meaning "to wait", which is closer to "to stay", because the two actions usually happens at the same time.
> 2. 呆 has another meaning "stupid, idle", if you use "呆在", one may imagine somebody "to stay without doing anything actively", which
>    usually connects to a negative impression.
>
> to judge by reference sites:
>
> 1. in taiwan, education resource like this [国语小字典](http://dict.mini.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gdic/gsweb.cgi?ccd=FDxH7N&o=sjmpage&jmpage=1&ckmod=50&searchq=word%3D%22%E5%91%86%22)
>    doesn't contain "to stay" as a meaning for "呆".
> 2. you can also check the two words on [中文.com](http://zhongwen.com/m/search.htm) to verify.
>
> So, it will be more widely(both mainland and tw) accepted if you use "待在" to express "to stay".

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: -1: This is explicitly *not* what the OP asked for.  
> **username_9**: +1 because he pointed out the subtle differences which the OP may not be aware of. In this case, 呆 refers to idling, while 待 refers to hanging out. 呆 cannot be applied to many scenarios where 待 is applicable. Sentences such as 他们整天和朋友们呆在外面 is not acceptable when you are trying to convey a message that they spend the whole day hanging out with friends (playing games, etc).  
> **username_5**: Thanks for both of your kind comments!   I agree that I did not follow the OP's questions strictly, coz if I don't focus on "acceptance level", but try to follow every "? mark", my answer may be pointless for readers. And I believe others will offer other points of view, if my answer is not relevant enough. :)  
> **username_0**: Two things: 1. I'm not asking for how you think they're different. Also, if you want to show that they _are_ different, I would need to see data that justifies it. I've heard about this alleged difference before, but the sentences I've seen show that people use them interchangeably. 2. That the 国语小字典 only lists one __is__ useful. It suggests that 待 came first, and 呆 was a substitution. Further evidence along those lines would get some upvotes.  
> **username_5**: [1]: from mass media - [光明网](http://www.gmw.cn/content/2006-01/10/content_357528.htm) [2]: research materials - [中国知网](http://mall.cnki.net/magazine/Article/DQGZ201102022.htm) ==> [some blog citing the full-text of this article](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html)  
> **username_5**: **abridged text in translation:** the 2 Chinese characters are different in meaning,  it's not until ming/qing dynasty, did "待" have the meaning of "to stay". it's not until modern/contemporary times, did "呆" have the meaning of "to stay"  
> **username_0**: These materials look really promising; I'll look over them and get back to you.  
> **username_0**: Okay, awesome. I accepted it.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2012-09-09. Score: 2

They both mean to "stay in." But one has better connotations than the other.

"待" means "to serve" or to "wait on." As such, it connotes a certain level of alertness.
To "待在" in cold weather is a smart, alert, thing to do.

"呆" means "stupid" or "idle." To "呆在" suggests that you are hanging or "idling" around, because you have nothing better to do, not because (as in the previous paragraph) it is the "right" thing to do. It's more of a homonym or pun on "待在" than anything else.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-09-16. Score: 2

“呆在” is definitely incorrect for your context. You may say "一听到这个消息，他就呆在了那里，好久都没有动一下" to emphasize that he has been shocked by the news.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Where are you from? In mainland dictionaries, `呆` has an entry for the meaning "to stay" (although as evidenced by PIMGeek's [answer](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html), that meaning is more recently acquired).  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2012-09-11. Score: 2

1. 一般来说中文里会用“待在”而不是“呆在”，“待在”强调的是“stay”这种状态，强调的是身体，而“呆”强调的是“mind is empty”，强调的是思维停滞。
2. 不要过分相信iciba之类的网络翻译工具，有条件的话还是买一本纸质字典会更有权威
3. 还有什么疑问欢迎继续留言共同探讨

---

1. Generally speaking, you can use 待在 or 呆在 in Chinese. 待在 emphasizes "staying" in the current state, while 呆在 emphasizes "emptying the mind".
2. Don't put too much faith in iciba and similar online translation services. Sometimes you just need to buy an authoritative dictionary.
3. If you still have questions, please leave a comment so we can search together.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 1. 你误会了。我是问“待”和“呆”的混用情况的来源是什么。其实，我写得很清楚："I'm __not__ asking which you think is correct". 2. 我引用了iciba之所以是因为我要证明真的有人用“呆”表达这个意思。3. 你自己没有查字典吗？汉语大字典：呆-dai1-停留；居住 4. PIM Geek已经[回答](http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5375d4df0102e55d.html)我的问题.  
> **username_5**: 我认为 @ZhenchaoJia 的回答中**有两点值得称赞的地方**:  1. 不满足于"单一的网络信息渠道" 2. "愿意继续探讨"  为何没有给出合宜的答案? 究其原因, 问题看起来简单, 实则需要仔细分析才能理解问题的意思. 我之所以 upvote 这个问题, 是因为它能刺激人思考"为何我**以前一直没发现**这两个字起源上的区别".  
> **username_5**: To @ZhenchaoJia : please try to use English to revise your answer.  Your intellectual effort is recognized:  1. "do not rely too much on a single online resource."  2. "will go on discussing with others." keep your word, my pal. :)  
> **username_0**: 我不是生 @ZhenchaoJia 的气。只是有几个人没看清楚我的问题，就回答。  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2012-09-11. Score: 1

语法上“呆在”是错误的，只是用的人比较多，而且大家也理解（句号）

---

“呆在” is a grammatical error, simply a very common one. However, everyone understands it. (Period.)


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2014-05-04. Score: 1

I was just about to ask a similar question - but all of the answers here seem to baffle me a bit. When looking through some dictionaries I came across the entry for `待` in `现代汉语词典` which says:

> 同“呆”③。 现在一般写作“呆”。

“呆”③:

> 停留; 逗留

So apart from referencing `呆` as the definition to `待` they also claim that `呆` is the new 'norm' for "to stay". `现代汉语词典` is based on the mainland though - so perhaps it's just a mainland thing...but I still find this whole thing quite confusing myself.


---

