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正在 zhèngzài — in the middle of doing, currently

zhèngzài (fourth tone, falling)zheng4zai4

in the middle of doing, currently

HSK 2· HSK 1–6 (classic)Level 1· 2021 three-band, nine-level proficiency standardadverb
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Meanings

  1. in the middle of doing, currently

    Marks an action in progress at the moment spoken of. It stands before the verb — 他正在打电话 — and does not combine with the completive 了.

    adverb

Character breakdown

  • 在
    zài (fourth tone, falling)

    to be at, to be in, to exist, to be present; at, in, on (before a place); (before a verb) the progressive marker

    6 strokes⿸𠂇土Radical 土

Example sentences

  • 他正在打电话。他正在打電話。Tā (first tone, high and level) zhèngzài (fourth tone, falling) dǎ (third tone, dipping) diànhuà. (fourth tone, falling)···

    He’s on the phone right now.

  • 老师正在上课。老師正在上課。Lǎoshī (third tone, dipping) zhèngzài (fourth tone, falling) shàng (fourth tone, falling) kè. (fourth tone, falling)···

    The teacher is teaching at the moment.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite他正在看书了。

    Correct他正在看书。

    正在 says the action is still unfolding, while 了 reports that something has come about. The two pull in opposite directions and do not go together.

Similar words

Words containing 在