着著 zhe — particle marking an ongoing state
zhe (neutral tone)zhe5
Traditional: 著
particle marking an ongoing state
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 2· Three-band, nine-level standardparticle
Meanings
particle marking an ongoing state
Attached to a verb to say the resulting state is still holding: 门开着 "the door is (standing) open". It describes a state, not an action in progress, which is 正在.
particle…ing, while doing (linking two verbs)
particleV1 + 着 + V2 says the first verb is the manner of the second: 笑着说 "said with a smile".
Example sentences
- 门开着。門開著。Mén (second tone, rising) kāizhe. (first tone, high and level)···
The door is open.
- 他笑着说：谢谢你。他笑著說：謝謝你。Tā (first tone, high and level) xiàozhe (fourth tone, falling) shuō: (first tone, high and level) xièxie (fourth tone, falling) nǐ. (third tone, dipping)···
He said with a smile: thank you.
Common mistakes
Not quite我着看书。
Correct我正在看书。
着 follows the verb and marks a lasting state; it can never come before it. An action happening right now takes 正在 in front of the verb.