Difference between revisions of "Aspect particle "zhe""
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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The particle 着 (zhe) is one way of indicating the ''continuous aspect'' in Mandarin Chinese (another common way is [[Expressing actions in progress|using the adverb 在 in front of verbs]]).  You may have heard that the Chinese particle 着 added onto the end of verbs is similar to the use of ''-ing'' in English.  This isn't particularly helpful, however, because the use of 着 in Chinese is not nearly so frequent, and can also be quite idiomatic.
+
The particle 着 (zhe) is one way of indicating the ''continuous aspect'' in Mandarin Chinese (another common way is [[Expressing actions in progress|using the adverb 在 in front of verbs]]).  You may have heard that the Chinese particle 着 added onto the end of verbs is similar to the use of ''-ing'' in English.  This isn't particularly helpful, however, because the use of 着 in Chinese is not nearly so commonly used, and can also be quite idiomatic.
  
 
== Basic Usage ==
 
== Basic Usage ==
 +
 +
The main idea here is that the action won't just happen and stop immediately; it will continue for a while.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
 +
 +
This basic pattern is often used with commands involving certain verbs where the action persists for a while.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*我 读 ，你 听 <em>着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ dú, nǐ tīng <em>zhe</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'll read the letter, and you will listen.</span>
+
*我 读 ，你 听 <em>着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ dú, nǐ tīng <em>zhe</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'll read, and you listen.</span>
−
*我们 做 ，你们 看 <em>着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuò, nǐmen kàn <em>zhe</em>.</span><span class="trans">We will do it, and you will watch.</span>
+
*我们 做 ，你们 看 <em>着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuò, nǐmen kàn <em>zhe</em>.</span><span class="trans">We will do it, and you all watch.</span>
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*你们 坐 <em>着</em> ，哪儿 都 别 去 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen zuò <em>zhe</em>, nǎr dōu bié qù.</span><span class="trans">You sit here. Don't go anywhere else.</span>
+
*你们 坐 <em>着</em> ，我 马上 回来 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen zuò <em>zhe</em>, wǒ mǎshàng huílái.</span><span class="trans">Sit for a while. I'll be right back.</span>
 
*我 出去 一下 ，你 帮 我 看 <em>着</em> 行李 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chūqù yīxià, nǐ bāng wǒ kān <em>zhe</em> xíngli.</span><span class="trans">I'll go out for a second, and you watch the luggage for me.</span>
 
*我 出去 一下 ，你 帮 我 看 <em>着</em> 行李 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chūqù yīxià, nǐ bāng wǒ kān <em>zhe</em> xíngli.</span><span class="trans">I'll go out for a second, and you watch the luggage for me.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== Used for Continuous State ==
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== Used for Manner or State in which an Action is Performed ==
 +
 
 +
This pattern is used when you want to use one verb to describe how ''another'' action is performed.
  
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While it's true that the "[[Expressing actions in progress (full form)|full progressive pattern]]" can make use of 着, this is not a pattern you're going to want to use all the time.  For example, if you want to say "I'm reading," you have these two choices:
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=== Structure ===
  
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<div class="liju">
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<div class="jiegou">
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<ul>
+
Verb 1 + 着 + Verb 2
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<li class="o">我 <strong>在</strong> 看 书 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zài</strong> kànshū.</span><span class="expl">This is the natural, easy way to say it.</span></li>
 
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<li class="q">我 <strong>正 在</strong> 看 <em>着</em> 书 <strong>呢</strong> 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zhèngzài</strong> kàn <em>zhe</em> shū <strong>ne</strong>.</span><span class="expl">This seems a bit much, and isn't very natural.</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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The first one is fine, but the second one is definitely odd, and unnecessarily wordy. So there's no need to intentionally construct such long, unwieldy structures.  For this kind of usage (which corresponds pretty closely to the "-ing" in English which we mentioned before), you're better off avoiding 着.
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Note that the '''first verb''' (followed by 着) describes the '''state'''; the second verb is the action verb. In this case, the "-ing" translation can be useful for the state.
  
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There are, however, other uses of 着 which are needed.  When you're talking about "states" which don't involve any ''continuous action'', or actually ''doing'' anything, you're going to want to use 着 instead of 在.  Some examples:
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:52em"
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*她 喜欢 站 <em>着</em> 吃饭 。<span class="expl">"standing + eat = eating while standing"</span><span class="pinyin">Tā xǐhuan zhàn <em>zhe</em> chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">She likes to eat standing up.</span>
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|+着 Expressing an Ongoing State
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*他 笑 <em>着</em> 说 “对不起” 。<span class="expl">"smiling + say = saying "I'm sorry" while smiling</span><span class="pinyin">Tā xiào <em>zhe</em> shuō "duìbuqǐ".</span><span class="trans">Smiling, he said, "I'm sorry."</span>
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! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Verb + 着
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*孩子 抱 <em>着</em> 爸爸 哭 了 起来 。<span class="expl">"hugging + cry = crying while hugging</span><span class="pinyin">Háizi bào <em>zhe</em> bàba kū le qǐlái.</span><span class="trans">Hugging his daddy, the child started to cry.</span>
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! scope="col" style="width:90%" | Explanation
 
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|-
 
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| 开 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">开 (kāi) alone can mean "to open" or "to turn on."  Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is open" or "is on."</span>.
 
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|-
 
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| 关 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">关 (guān) alone can mean "to close" or "to turn off." Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is closed" or "is off."</span>
 
−
|-
 
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| 穿 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">穿 (chuān) alone means "to wear." Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" or "has" something (on one's person).</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| 戴 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">戴 (dài) alone means "to wear." Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" or "has" something (on one's person).</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| 躺 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">躺 (tǎng) alone means "to lie on one's back."  Adding 着 allows one to express that someone "is lying down."</span>
 
−
|}
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Examples ===
+
'''Note:''' If you want to make a sentence where both verbs are action verbs (neither is truly a state), then you don't want this pattern; you want [[Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"|一边⋯⋯，一边⋯⋯ (yībiān..., yībiān...)]].
 +
 
 +
== Used for Continuous State ==
 +
 
 +
While it's true that the "[[Expressing actions in progress (full form)|full progressive pattern]]" can make use of 着, this is not a pattern you're going to want to use all the time.
 +
 
 +
=== Usage Examples ===
 +
 
 +
The verbs most commonly used with 着 are the ones below:
 +
 
 +
*开 (kāi) alone can mean "to open" or "to turn on." Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is open" or "is on."
 +
 
 +
*关 (guān) alone can mean "to close" or "to turn off." Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is closed" or "is off."
 +
 
 +
*穿 (chuān) alone means "to wear." Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" something (on one's person).
 +
 
 +
*戴 (dài) alone means "to wear" (an accessory). Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" a hat, jewelry, or accessory (on one's person).
  
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<div class="liju">
+
*躺 (tǎng) alone means "to lie on one's back." Adding 着 allows one to express that someone "is lying down."
  
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<ul>
+
=== Sentence Examples ===
−
<li class="o">家里 的 灯 开 <em>着</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Jiālǐ de dēng kāi <em>zhe</em>.</span><span class="expl">"Being on" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span></li>
 
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<li class="x">家里 灯 <em>在</em> 开 。 <span class="pinyin">Jiālǐ de dēng <em>zài</em> kāi.</span><span class="expl">"Being on" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
  
−
<ul>
+
<div class="liju">
−
<li class="o">公司 的 门 开 <em>着</em> ，可是 没 人 在 。<span class="pinyin">Gōngsī de mén kāi <em>zhe</em>, kěshì méi rén zài.</span><span class="expl">"Being on" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span></li>
 
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<li class="x">公司 的 门 <em>在</em> 开 ，可是 没 人 在 。<span class="pinyin">Gōngsī de mén <em>zài</em> kāi, kěshì méi rén zài.</span><span class="expl">"Being open" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span></li>
 
−
</ul>
 
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
−
<li class="o">他 戴 <em>着</em> 眼镜 。<span class="pinyin">Tā dài <em>zhe</em> yǎnjìng.</span><span class="expl">"Having his glasses (on him)" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span></li>
+
<li class="o">公司 的 门 开 <em>着</em> ，可是 没 人 在 。<span class="expl">"Being open" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span><span class="pinyin">Gōngsī de mén kāi <em>zhe</em>, kěshì méi rén zài.</span><span class="trans">The office door is open but no one is in there.</span></li>
−
<li class="x">他 <em>在</em> 戴 眼镜 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zài</em> dài yǎnjìng.</span><span class="expl">"Having his glasses (on him)" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span></li>
+
<li class="x">公司 的 门 <em>在</em> 开 ，可是 没 人 在 。<span class="expl">"Being open" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span><span class="pinyin">Gōngsī de mén <em>zài</em> kāi, kěshì méi rén zài.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
−
<li class="o">她 穿 <em>着</em> 一 条 小 黑 裙 。<span class="pinyin">Tā chuān <em>zhe</em> yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.</span><span class="expl">"Be wearing" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span></li>
+
<li class="o">她 穿 <em>着</em> 一 条 小 黑 裙 。<span class="expl">"Be wearing" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span><span class="pinyin">Tā chuān <em>zhe</em> yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.</span><span class="trans">She's wearing a little black dress.</span></li>
−
<li class="x">她 <em>在</em> 穿 一 条 小 黑 裙 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zài</em> chuān yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.</span><span class="expl">"Be wearing" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span></li>
+
<li class="x">她 <em>在</em> 穿 一 条 小 黑 裙 。<span class="expl">"Be wearing" is not an action, so don't use 在.)</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zài</em> chuān yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
−
<li class="o">躺 <em>着</em> 最 舒服 。<span class="pinyin">Tǎng <em>zhe</em> zuì shūfu.</span><span class="expl">"Lying here" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span></li>
+
<li class="o">躺 <em>着</em> 最 舒服 。<span class="expl">"Lying down" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)</span><span class="pinyin">Tǎng <em>zhe</em> zuì shūfu.</span><span class="trans">It's most comfortable just lying down.</span></li>
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<li class="x"><em>在</em> 躺 最 舒服 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> tǎng zuì shūfu .</span><span class="expl">"Lying here" is not strictly an action, so don't use 在.)</span></li>
+
<li class="x"><em>在</em> 躺 最 舒服 。<span class="expl">"Lying here" is not strictly an action, so don't use 在.)</span><span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> tǎng zuì shūfu.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== Used for a Certain Way of Doing Things ==
+
== Colloquial Sayings ==
−
 
 
−
If you do an action [["Verbing away" using "zhe"|''while in a particular state'']], you can make use of this pattern:
 
−
 
 
−
=== Structure ===
 
−
 
 
−
<div class="jiegou">
 
−
Verb 1 + 着 + Verb 2
 
−
</div>
 
  
−
Note that the '''first verb''' (followed by 着) describes the '''state'''; the second verb is the action verb.  In this case, the "-ing" translation can be useful.
+
Certain verbs tend to take 着 more frequently than others, and what the 着 exactly is ''doing'' might not be apparent at all.  It's best to think of these usages as set phrases.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Line 104: Line 97:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*她 喜欢 站 <em>着</em> 吃饭 。<span class="pinyin">Tā xǐhuan zhàn <em>zhe</em> chīfàn.</span><span class="expl"> "standing + eat = eating while standing"</span>
+
*听 <em>着</em> ! <span class="expl">"to listen and keep listening"</span><span class="pinyin">Tīng <em>zhe</em>!</span>
−
*我 不 喜欢 听 <em>着</em> 音乐 做 作业 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù xǐhuan tīng <em>zhe</em> yīnyuè zuò zuòyè.</span><span class="expl"> "listening to music + do homework = listening to music while doing homework</span>
+
*别 客气 ，拿 <em>着</em> 吧 。<span class="expl">"to take and keep it"</span><span class="pinyin">Bié kèqi, ná <em>zhe</em> ba.</span>
−
*他 笑 <em>着</em> 说 “对不起” 。<span class="pinyin">Tā xiào <em>zhe</em> shuō "duìbuqǐ".</span><span class="expl"> "smiling + say = saying "I'm sorry" while smiling</span>
+
*你们 等 <em>着</em> ! <span class="expl">"to wait and keeping waiting"</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen děng <em>zhe</em>!</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
'''Note:''' If you want to make a sentence where both verbs are action verbs (neither is truly a state), then you don't want this pattern, you want [[Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"|一边⋯⋯，一边⋯⋯]].
+
=== Verb + 着 + 玩 "For Fun" ===
  
−
== 着 Used Idiomatically ==
+
There's also one colloquial usage of 着 that's often chosen for special treatment by Chinese textbooks, so we'll cover it here as well:
−
 
 
−
Certain verbs tend to take 着 more frequently than others, and exactly what the 着 is ''doing'' might not be apparent at all.  It's best to think of these usages as colloquialisms.  You can even think of them as set phrases.
 
−
 
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
−
 
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:52em"
 
−
|+着 Used Idiomatically
 
−
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Verb + 着
 
−
! scope="col" style="width:35%" | Explanation
 
−
! scope="col" style="width:35%" | Example
 
−
|-
 
−
| 听 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">"to listen to" (essentially the same as 听)</span> || 你 听 <em>着</em>。<span class="spaced">Nǐ tīng <em>zhe</em>.</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| 拿 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">"to hold" (essentially the same as 拿)</span> || 这个 你 拿 <em>着</em>。<span class="spaced">Zhège nǐ ná <em>zhe</em>.</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| 等 <em>着</em> || <span class="spaced">"to wait" (essentially the same as 等)</span> || 你们 等 <em>着</em> ！<span class="spaced">Nǐmen děng <em>zhe</em>!</span>
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
</div>
 
−
 
 
−
There's also one colloquial usage of 着 that's been chosen by at least one textbook for special treatment, so we'll cover it here as well:
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
−
 
+
Subj. + 是 + Verb + 着 + 玩 + 的
−
Verb + 着 + 玩儿
 
−
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
This pattern may look like that "doing an action in a particular state" pattern already covered above, but in practice it doesn't really work that way.  It just means "[Verb] for fun" or "[Verb] as a joke."
 
This pattern may look like that "doing an action in a particular state" pattern already covered above, but in practice it doesn't really work that way.  It just means "[Verb] for fun" or "[Verb] as a joke."
  
−
Examples of this usage:
+
=== Examples of Verb + 着 + 玩  ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 我 不 是 认真 的，我 是 闹 <em>着</em> 玩儿。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bùshì rènzhēn de, wǒ shì nào <em>zhe</em> wán er.</span><span class="trans">I'm not very serious, I like to have a lot of fun.</span>
+
*你 不要 生气 ，我 是 说 <em>着</em> 玩 的 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bùyào shēngqì, wǒ shì shuō <em>zhe</em> wán de!</span><span class="trans">Don't be mad. I was just joking.</span>
−
* 我 听不懂 英文 歌，只 是 听 <em>着</em> 玩儿。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ tīng bù dǒng Yīngwén gē, zhǐshì tīng <em>zhe</em> wán er.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand English songs. I just listen for fun.</span>
+
*我 听不懂 英文 歌 ，只 是 听 <em>着</em> 玩 的 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ tīng bu dǒng Yīngwén gē, zhǐshì tīng <em>zhe</em> wán de.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand English songs. I just listen to them for fun.</span>
−
* 你不要生气了，我刚才是说<em>着</em> 玩儿的！<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bùyào shēngqì le, wǒ gāngcái shì shuō <em>zhe</em> wán er de!</span><span class="trans">Don't be mad.I was just joking.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
==See also==
+
== See also ==
  
 
* [[Expressing actions in progress]]
 
* [[Expressing actions in progress]]
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
−
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) ]] (pp. 414 - 423) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|100}}
−
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 89) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|32}}
−
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 217 - 225) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |414 - 423}}
−
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 242-3) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|89}}
−
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (p. 17) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|217 - 225}}
−
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 238-9) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|242-3}}
−
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）]] (p. 255)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|17}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|238-9}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）|255}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
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* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-%E7%9D%80-zhe-chronicles-actions-in-progress Qing Wen - The 着 (zhe) Chronicles: Actions in Progress] (free content)
 
* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-%E7%9D%80-zhe-chronicles-actions-in-progress Qing Wen - The 着 (zhe) Chronicles: Actions in Progress] (free content)
 
* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-%E7%9D%80-zhe-chronicles-verbs-as-states Qing Wen - The 着 (zhe) Chronicles: Verbs as States] (free content)
 
* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-%E7%9D%80-zhe-chronicles-verbs-as-states Qing Wen - The 着 (zhe) Chronicles: Verbs as States] (free content)
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{{Similar|Expressing actions in progress (full form)}}
+
 
 +
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 +
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Latest revision as of 08:56, 21 April 2021

The particle 着 (zhe) is one way of indicating the continuous aspect in Mandarin Chinese (another common way is using the adverb 在 in front of verbs). You may have heard that the Chinese particle 着 added onto the end of verbs is similar to the use of -ing in English. This isn't particularly helpful, however, because the use of 着 in Chinese is not nearly so commonly used, and can also be quite idiomatic.

Basic Usage

The main idea here is that the action won't just happen and stop immediately; it will continue for a while.

Structure

Verb + 着

Examples

This basic pattern is often used with commands involving certain verbs where the action persists for a while.

  • 我 读 ，你 听 着 。Wǒ dú, nǐ tīng zhe.I'll read, and you listen.
  • 我们 做 ，你们 看 着 。Wǒmen zuò, nǐmen kàn zhe.We will do it, and you all watch.
  • 你们 坐 着 ，我 马上 回来 。Nǐmen zuò zhe, wǒ mǎshàng huílái.Sit for a while. I'll be right back.
  • 我 出去 一下 ，你 帮 我 看 着 行李 。Wǒ chūqù yīxià, nǐ bāng wǒ kān zhe xíngli.I'll go out for a second, and you watch the luggage for me.

Used for Manner or State in which an Action is Performed

This pattern is used when you want to use one verb to describe how another action is performed.

Structure

Verb 1 + 着 + Verb 2

Note that the first verb (followed by 着) describes the state; the second verb is the action verb. In this case, the "-ing" translation can be useful for the state.

Examples

  • 她 喜欢 站 着 吃饭 。"standing + eat = eating while standing"Tā xǐhuan zhàn zhe chīfàn.She likes to eat standing up.
  • 他 笑 着 说 “对不起” 。"smiling + say = saying "I'm sorry" while smilingTā xiào zhe shuō "duìbuqǐ".Smiling, he said, "I'm sorry."
  • 孩子 抱 着 爸爸 哭 了 起来 。"hugging + cry = crying while huggingHáizi bào zhe bàba kū le qǐlái.Hugging his daddy, the child started to cry.

Note: If you want to make a sentence where both verbs are action verbs (neither is truly a state), then you don't want this pattern; you want 一边⋯⋯，一边⋯⋯ (yībiān..., yībiān...).

Used for Continuous State

While it's true that the "full progressive pattern" can make use of 着, this is not a pattern you're going to want to use all the time.

Usage Examples

The verbs most commonly used with 着 are the ones below:

  • 开 (kāi) alone can mean "to open" or "to turn on." Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is open" or "is on."
  • 关 (guān) alone can mean "to close" or "to turn off." Adding 着 allows one to express that something "is closed" or "is off."
  • 穿 (chuān) alone means "to wear." Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" something (on one's person).
  • 戴 (dài) alone means "to wear" (an accessory). Adding 着 allows one to express that one "is wearing" a hat, jewelry, or accessory (on one's person).
  • 躺 (tǎng) alone means "to lie on one's back." Adding 着 allows one to express that someone "is lying down."

Sentence Examples

  • 公司 的 门 开 着 ，可是 没 人 在 。"Being open" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)Gōngsī de mén kāi zhe, kěshì méi rén zài.The office door is open but no one is in there.
  • 公司 的 门 在 开 ，可是 没 人 在 。"Being open" is not an action, so don't use 在.)Gōngsī de mén zài kāi, kěshì méi rén zài.
  • 她 穿 着 一 条 小 黑 裙 。"Be wearing" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)Tā chuān zhe yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.She's wearing a little black dress.
  • 她 在 穿 一 条 小 黑 裙 。"Be wearing" is not an action, so don't use 在.)Tā zài chuān yī tiáo xiǎo hēi qún.
  • 躺 着 最 舒服 。"Lying down" is a state, so using 着 is natural.)Tǎng zhe zuì shūfu.It's most comfortable just lying down.
  • 在 躺 最 舒服 。"Lying here" is not strictly an action, so don't use 在.)Zài tǎng zuì shūfu.

Colloquial Sayings

Certain verbs tend to take 着 more frequently than others, and what the 着 exactly is doing might not be apparent at all. It's best to think of these usages as set phrases.

Examples

  • 听 着 ! "to listen and keep listening"Tīng zhe!
  • 别 客气 ，拿 着 吧 。"to take and keep it"Bié kèqi, ná zhe ba.
  • 你们 等 着 ! "to wait and keeping waiting"Nǐmen děng zhe!

Verb + 着 + 玩 "For Fun"

There's also one colloquial usage of 着 that's often chosen for special treatment by Chinese textbooks, so we'll cover it here as well:

Subj. + 是 + Verb + 着 + 玩 + 的

This pattern may look like that "doing an action in a particular state" pattern already covered above, but in practice it doesn't really work that way. It just means "[Verb] for fun" or "[Verb] as a joke."

Examples of Verb + 着 + 玩

  • 你 不要 生气 ，我 是 说 着 玩 的 。Nǐ bùyào shēngqì, wǒ shì shuō zhe wán de!Don't be mad. I was just joking.
  • 我 听不懂 英文 歌 ，只 是 听 着 玩 的 。Wǒ tīng bu dǒng Yīngwén gē, zhǐshì tīng zhe wán de.I don't understand English songs. I just listen to them for fun.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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