在／正在／正……呢
be doing something right now
Structure
主语 + 在／正在／正 + 动词 （+ 宾语） （+ 呢） · 主语 + 动词 + 宾语 + 呢
What it means
在 right before a verb says something is going on now: 我在看电视 (I’m watching TV). 正在 stresses “at this very moment”.
How it is built
Subject + 在／正在 + verb (+ object) (+ 呢): 妈妈正在打电话. 正 alone usually takes 呢: 他们正吃饭呢. In speech 呢 alone can do it: 他吃饭呢.
When to use it
呢 at the end makes 在 and 正在 sound natural in speech. Use it only for actions, not with 是, 有, 喜欢 or 知道.
Watch out
To say “no, I’m not”, answer 没有, not 不: 你在睡觉吗？——没有！ With a place, one 在 does both jobs: ✗ 我在在家看电视。 ✓ 我在家看电视呢。
Examples
你在做什么呢？——我在上网呢。
What are you doing? — I’m online.
妈妈正在打电话，你等一会儿。
Mum’s on the phone right now. Wait a moment.
他们正吃饭呢。
They’re in the middle of dinner.
我在家看电视呢。
I’m at home watching TV.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 15: 你在做什么呢 (On the phone)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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