GRAMMAR · G06
Beginner–Intermediate · Approx. HSK 2–3 · 12–15 min

在, 正在 and 着 — Actions and States“在”“正在”和“着”的用法

Describe what someone is doing right now with 在 / 正在, and describe a continuing state with 着. These patterns are related, but they are not interchangeable.

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她正在看书。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū.
She is reading a book right now.

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01

在 / 正在 + verb: an action in progress

Put 在 (zài) or 正在 (zhèngzài) before the verb for an activity happening now. 正在 can emphasize that the action is taking place at this moment.

SUBJECT
她
tā · she
正在 + VERB
正在看
zhèngzài kàn · reading
OBJECT
书
shū · book
Subject + 在 / 正在 + verb (+ object)
Reading
她正在看书。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū.
She is reading a book right now.
Cooking
我在做饭。
Wǒ zài zuò fàn.
I am cooking.
Phone call
他正在打电话。
Tā zhèngzài dǎ diànhuà.
He is making a phone call.
Homework
我们在写作业。
Wǒmen zài xiě zuòyè.
We are doing homework.
💡 在 can also mean “at/in” before a place: 我在学校 (I am at school). Check what follows 在: a verb or a place.
02

Verb + 着: a continuing state

Use verb + 着 (zhe) to describe a state that continues: a door is open, someone is wearing clothes, or something is placed somewhere.

SUBJECT
门
mén · door
VERB + 着
开着
kāizhe · open
STATE
—
continuing
Subject + verb + 着 (a state continuing)
Door
门开着。
Mén kāizhe.
The door is open.
Window
窗户关着。
Chuānghu guānzhe.
The window is closed.
Clothes
她穿着红色的衣服。
Tā chuānzhe hóngsè de yīfu.
She is wearing red clothes.
On a table
桌子上放着一本书。
Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe yì běn shū.
There is a book lying on the table.
💡 着 is pronounced with a neutral tone: zhe. It often describes a continuing condition, not just an action in progress.
03

Doing something vs. being in a state

Compare what is happening and what remains true.

Action right now
他正在开门。
Tā zhèngzài kāi mén.
He is opening the door.
Continuing state
门开着。
Mén kāizhe.
The door is open.
Action right now
她正在穿衣服。
Tā zhèngzài chuān yīfu.
She is getting dressed.
State
她穿着一件红衣服。
Tā chuānzhe yí jiàn hóng yīfu.
She is wearing a red shirt.
04

Common mistakes to avoid

✗ 着 is not added to 正在 by default
她正在看书着。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū zhe.
Not the natural beginner pattern for an action in progress.
✓ Use 正在 + verb
她正在看书。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū.
She is reading a book right now.
✗ Don’t use 正在 for a plain continuing state
门正在开着。
Mén zhèngzài kāizhe.
Not the simple pattern for “The door is open.”
✓ Use verb + 着
门开着。
Mén kāizhe.
The door is open.
05

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06

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07

Speak like a real person!

Describe one person’s action and one continuing state around you.

  1. Tell someone what you are doing right now.
  2. Describe someone who is making a phone call or reading.
  3. Describe whether a door or window is open or closed.
  4. Describe what you are wearing today.
Show sample answers ↓
Me
我正在学中文。
Wǒ zhèngzài xué Zhōngwén.
I am studying Chinese right now.
Friend
他在打电话。
Tā zài dǎ diànhuà.
He is on a phone call.
Window
窗户开着。
Chuānghu kāizhe.
The window is open.
Clothes
我穿着一件蓝衣服。
Wǒ chuānzhe yí jiàn lán yīfu.
I am wearing a blue shirt.

Takeaway 🌸

在 / 正在 + verb = action in progress · verb + 着 = continuing state
她正在看书。 / 门开着。
Tā zhèngzài kàn shū. / Mén kāizhe.
She is reading. / The door is open.
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