着
in a state of …ing: wearing, holding, sitting
Structure
动词 + 着 （+ 宾语） · 没 + 动词 + 着 · 动词 + 着 + 呢
What it means
Verb + 着 describes a state that lasts: 拿着 “holding”, 坐着 “sitting”, 开着 “(is) open”. 他拿着一杯咖啡 “He’s holding a cup of coffee.”
How it is built
Verb + 着 (+ object): 她穿着红衣服 (She has red on). Add 呢 for “right now”: 外边下着雨呢. Negative: 没 + verb + 着: 门没关着.
When to use it
在 + verb (h1-15) is an action going on: 她在穿衣服 “she is getting dressed”. Verb + 着 is the state: 她穿着红衣服. You heard it in 开着电视睡觉 (h1-15).
Watch out
Never put 了 or 过 next to 着. ✗ 他拿着了一杯咖啡。 ✓ 他拿着一杯咖啡。 For “not”, use 没, not 不: 门没关着.
Examples
他拿着一杯咖啡。
He’s holding a cup of coffee.
外边下着雨呢。
It’s raining outside.
门开着呢，请进！
The door’s open. Come in!
门没关着，开着呢。
The door isn’t shut; it’s open.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 12: 在公园里找人 (Finding someone in the park)
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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