1. Meaning and Usage
The particle 着 (zhe) is placed immediately after a verb to indicate that an action or state is continuous, ongoing, or sustained. It describes an action or state as being in progress or a condition that continues to exist. It often serves to describe a background action, a manner of action, or the lasting state resulting from an action.
2. Formulas and Examples
Case 1: Describing a continuous, ongoing action or state
This is the most fundamental usage, indicating that the action or state is currently happening and persisting.
Formula: $$V + 着$$
老师站着讲课。 Lǎoshī zhànzhe jiǎngkè. The teacher is standing and teaching. (The state of standing is continuous.)
她穿着一件红色的裙子。 Tā chuānzhe yī jiàn hóngsè de qúnzi. She is wearing a red dress. (The action of wearing, and the state of having it on, is continuous.)
Case 2: Indicating a background action or manner for a subsequent main action
The action with 着 describes the context, condition, or the way in which another main action is performed.
Formula: $$V_1 + 着 + V_2 + O$$ (or $$V_1 + 着 + Sentence$$)
他笑着对我说。 Tā xiàozhe duì wǒ shuō. He smiled and said to me. (Smiling is the manner or background action of speaking.)
我们听着音乐学习。 Wǒmen tīngzhe yīnyuè xuéxí. We study while listening to music. (Listening to music is the background action.)
Case 3: Describing the continuous state of an object or environment
Often used with verbs that involve placing, attaching, or existing in a certain state, 着 indicates that the resultant state of the object or environment is ongoing.
Formula: $$Location + V + 着 + Object$$ (or $$Object + V + 着 + (description)$$)
墙上挂着一幅画。 Qiáng shàng guàzhe yī fú huà. A painting is hanging on the wall. (The state of the painting hanging is continuous.)
桌子上放着一本书。 Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe yī běn shū. There is a book on the table. (The state of the book being placed there is continuous.)
Case 4: Emphasizing the continuity with 呢 (ne)
When combined with 呢 (ne), V着呢 further emphasizes that the action or state is definitely ongoing at the moment.
Formula: $$V + 着 + 呢$$
他正忙着呢。 Tā zhèng mángzhe ne. He is busy right now. (Emphasizes his current state of being busy.)
门开着呢。 Mén kāizhe ne. The door is open. (Emphasizes that the door is currently in an open state.)
3. Essential HSK Tips & Common Mistakes
Distinction from "了 (le)": While 了 often indicates completion or a change of state, 着 signifies continuation or an ongoing state. Don't confuse them.
他吃了饭。 Tā chī le fàn. He ate the meal. (Action completed.) 他吃着饭呢。 Tā chī zhe fàn ne. He is eating the meal. (Action ongoing.)
Negation of 着: To negate an ongoing action or state indicated by 着, use 没(有) + V. You generally cannot use 不 before 着 in this context.
门没开着。 Mén méi kāizhe. The door is not open. (Correct negation of state.) 他没看着我。 Tā méi kànzhe wǒ. He was not looking at me. (Correct negation of ongoing action.) (Incorrect: 门不开着 / 他不看着我) Note: "睡不着 (shuìbuzháo)" means "unable to sleep" and uses "不着" as a resultative complement, which is a different grammatical structure.
Focus on Aspect, not Tense: 着 is an aspect marker, indicating the manner or duration of an action/state, not its tense (like past, present, future). It can be used in contexts that translate to English past, present, or even implied future.
那时，她正哭着。 Nà shí, tā zhèng kūzhe. At that time, she was crying. (Past continuous)
Common mistake: Using 着 with instantaneous verbs: 着 is typically used with verbs that can be sustained or have a lasting state. It's generally not used with instantaneous or one-time actions like "死 (sǐ - to die)", "到 (dào - to arrive)", "开始 (kāishǐ - to start)".
他死了。 Tā sǐ le. He died. (Correct: use 了 for completion) (Incorrect: 他死着。)
Verbs of posture and wearing: 着 is very common and natural with verbs like 坐 (zuò - sit), 站 (zhàn - stand), 躺 (tǎng - lie down), 穿 (chuān - wear), 拿 (ná - hold). These verbs inherently describe a continuous state.
请你坐着等。 Qǐng nǐ zuòzhe děng. Please wait while sitting.