着
zhe
Particle indicating continuous action
着 (zhe) — while doing, something happened
Verb (A) + 着 (zhe) + Verb (A) + 着 (zhe), ...
HSK 53.0
Pattern diagram
Verb着Verb着，Clause
Rule structure
Repeating a verb with 着 (zhe) shows that while an action was going on, another event happened suddenly or gradually. A following clause usually describes the new situation. The repeated verb is the same both times.
Rule structure
Repeating a verb with 着 (zhe) shows that while an action was going on, another event happened suddenly or gradually. A following clause usually describes the new situation. The repeated verb is the same both times.
Examples
他看着看着睡着了。
Tā kàn zhe kàn zhe shuìzháo le.
He kept reading and reading, and fell asleep.
Examples
他看着看着睡着了。
Tā kàn zhe kàn zhe shuìzháo le.
He kept reading and reading, and fell asleep.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “while doing, something happened” in Chinese with 着?
Use the structure: Verb (A) + 着 (zhe) + Verb (A) + 着 (zhe), .... For example: 他看着看着睡着了。 — “He kept reading and reading, and fell asleep”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他看着看着睡着了。 — “He kept reading and reading, and fell asleep”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules
不得了 — oh no, an extreme situation
不得了 (bùdéliǎo)! (+ Situation)
没 — paired absence with 没A没B
没 (méi) + A + 没 (méi) + B
说 — doing it at once: 说A就A
说 (shuō) + Verb (A) + 就 (jiù) + Verb (A)
用不着 — no need to
Subject + 用不着 (yòngbuzháo) + Verb/Noun
的 — different people doing different things
A + 的 (de) + A，B + 的 (de) + B
不 — might as well, no reason not to
不 (bù) + Verb + 白 (bái) + 不 (bù) + Verb
是它 — whether it's good or bad
X + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)，Y + 也 (yě) + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)
着 — since we are doing it anyway
X + 着 (zhe) + 也是 (yě shì) + X + 着 (zhe)