着
zhe
Particle indicating continuous action
How to say “is doing” or “is in a state” with 着 (zhe)
Verb + 着 (zhe)
着 (zhe) — ongoing state
HSK 2Particles
Verb + 着 (zhe)
HSK 2Particles着 (zhe) — ongoing state
Rule structure
着 (zhe) is a particle that indicates a continuous or ongoing state. It is attached to a verb to show that the action's result or the state it describes is being maintained.
Rule structure
着 (zhe) is a particle that indicates a continuous or ongoing state. It is attached to a verb to show that the action's result or the state it describes is being maintained.
Examples
门开着。
Mén kāi zhe.
The door is open.
他笑着说。
Tā xiào zhe shuō.
He is speaking with a smile.
他站着看书。
Tā zhàn zhe kànshū.
He is standing and reading a book.
Examples
门开着。
Mén kāi zhe.
The door is open.
他笑着说。
Tā xiào zhe shuō.
He is speaking with a smile.
他站着看书。
Tā zhàn zhe kànshū.
He is standing and reading a book.
Practice
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Characters
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “ongoing state” in Chinese with 着?
Use the structure: Verb + 着 (zhe). For example: 门开着。 — “The door is open”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
门开着。 — “The door is open”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
了 — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
过 — completed action in the past
Verb + 过 (guo) + 了 (le)
吧 — conceding with “ba”
⋯⋯吧 (ba)
呢 — question particle
⋯⋯呢 (ne)?
过 — experience marker
Verb + 过 (guo)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯