Sentence pattern · Band 2
正在 and 着: in the middle of, and staying that way
正在 + 动词 / 动词 + 着
Two ways to say it is happening. 正在 walks in front of the verb: he is right in the middle of eating. 着 rides after a verb and holds a state in place: the door is open and it stays open in 门开着. Think of photos: 正在 is the action shot, 着 is the pose someone is holding while everything else carries on.
Hear it in a sentence
Mistakes people make
正在 stands before the verb it brings to life, never after it.
The two live markers do not stack; 正在 walks before the verb, 着 rides after it, one per clause.
Words in this pattern
Quick answers
What does 正在、着 mean?
Two ways to say it is happening. 正在 walks in front of the verb: he is right in the middle of eating. 着 rides after a verb and holds a state in place: the door is open and it stays open in 门开着. Think of photos: 正在 is the action shot, 着 is the pose someone is holding while everything else carries on.
How do you build it?
正在 + 动词 / 动词 + 着
What is the most common mistake?
他吃饭正在。 → 他正在吃饭。
正在 stands before the verb it brings to life, never after it.
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