著 zhe着 zhe after a verb shows that an action or state is continuing: sitting, standing, wearing, holding, a door being open. You’ll see it a lot in stories and descriptions. In everyday conversation, people usually use 在 zài for actions in progress.
一 When Do We Use It?
How would you describe this picture?
If you said 貓在坐 māo zài zuò猫在坐 māo zài zuò, that’s not quite it! 貓在坐 māo zài zuò猫在坐 māo zài zuò means the cat is in the middle of sitting down. For a state that stays the same for a while, use 著 zhe着 zhe.
在 + Verb · action happening
貓猫在坐
The cat is sitting down (right now).
Verb + 著着 · ongoing state
貓猫坐著着 貓猫站著着
The cat is sitting. / The cat is standing.
二 The Basic Pattern
Subject + Verb + 著着 (+ Object)
著 zhe着 zhe shows a continuing state. It’s especially natural with verbs that describe a position or a result that stays, like sitting, lying, being open, or wearing.
貓猫在冰箱上睡著着
The cat’s asleep on top of the fridge.
Sleeping is a state, not an action that’s “happening,” so 著着 works better than 在.
門门開开著着
The door is open.
Being open is a state, so you can’t use 在 zài here.
那個个看著着書书的女孩是我的女兒女儿
The girl reading a book is my daughter.
Here 在 zài would also work.
三著着 vs. 在
Sometimes 著 zhe着 zhe and 在 zài mean different things.
在 · doing the action
他在穿衣服
He’s putting on clothes.
著着 · the result stays
他穿著着衣服
He’s wearing clothes.
But for actions that go on for a long time, they’re basically the same.
在 or 著着
外面在下雨 外面下著着雨
It’s raining outside.
在 or 著着
爺爺爷爷在看電視电视 爺爺爷爷看著着電視电视
Grandpa is watching TV.
四 Giving a Command
Verb + 著着！
著 zhe着 zhe can also be used for a short command: keep doing this!
你等著着，我很快回來回来
Wait here. I’ll be right back.
聽听著着，我現在现在要說说的話话很重要
Listen. What I’m about to say is important.
好好看著着，這这就是我跟你的不同
Watch closely. This is the difference between you and me. 😎
Wear or hold?Chinese uses different verbs for “wear”: 穿 chuān for clothes, shoes and pants; 戴 dài for accessories like glasses, hats, scarves and watches. And 拿 ná means “hold in your hand.” You’ll need all three in the practice!
五 Common Mistakes
❌ 門门在開开
✅ 門门開开著着
Being open is a state, not an action in progress. Use 著 zhe着 zhe.
❌ 他在穿一件紅色红色的衣服，很好看
✅ 他穿著着一件紅色红色的衣服，很好看
With 在 zài, it means he’s in the middle of putting it on. To describe what he’s wearing, use 著 zhe着 zhe.
❌ 她著着戴眼鏡眼镜
✅ 她戴著着眼鏡眼镜
著 zhe着 zhe goes right after the verb.
六 Practice
Tap the words below in the right order to build the sentence, then check your answer. If it’s wrong, you can try again as many times as you like, or hit “Show answer” if you get stuck. Careful: some tiles are traps and are not needed!
Question 1 of 10
She’s wearing glasses.
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
她戴著着眼鏡眼镜
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
She’s wearing a skirt.
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她穿著着裙子
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
He’s holding a cane.
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他拿著着拐杖
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
He’s holding a wine glass.
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他拿著着酒杯
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
She’s wearing a hat.
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她戴著着帽子
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
She’s wearing a scarf.
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她戴著着圍巾围巾
Verb + 著 zhe着 zhe for something that stays on. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
“The window is open.”
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窗戶窗户開开著着
A state, not an action. The 在 zài tile is a trap.
“Grandma is sitting on the sofa.”
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奶奶在沙發沙发上坐著着
Here 在 zài means “at” (a place), and 著 zhe着 zhe shows the ongoing state.
