01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
书桌上放着一本地图册。
An atlas is lying on the desk.
The sentence describes the arrangement on the desk, not the act of putting the book down.
会议室的门开着，里面有人。
The meeting-room door is open, and someone is inside.
开着 describes the door’s continuing open state.
那位乘客戴着一顶蓝帽子。
That passenger is wearing a blue hat.
戴着 describes the hat being worn, rather than the moment it was put on.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
着 after a verb can keep the resulting or continuing state in view. An open door stays open, a book lies on a desk, or a passenger is wearing a hat. The sentence describes what holds rather than concentrating on the moment when it began.
Choose verbs and meanings that naturally support such a state. 着 is not a word-for-word replacement for every English -ing form. 在 or 正在 before a verb commonly focuses on an action in progress; placing 着 after a suitable verb can focus instead on the continuing condition.
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid椅子上放正在一个包。
Use椅子上放着一个包。
Here the aim is to describe where the bag rests. Put 着 after 放. 正在, when used for an action in progress, would go before a verb rather than after it.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 地图册 | dìtúcè | atlas |
| 乘客 | chéngkè | passenger |
| 帽子 | màozi | hat |
Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.
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The TSV contains Chinese words, pinyin and meanings. Import instructions are below.
Written for this website. Levels indicate difficulty, not official HSK placement. The app covers this topic with different wording and exercises.
