Usage note
着常用来表示动作持续或状态正在继续。
zhe cháng yòng lái biǎo shì dòng zuò chí xù huò zhuàng tài zhèng zài jì xù。
着 is often used to show that an action or state is continuing.
Context note
着常出现在看着、站着、开着这些表达里。
zhe cháng chū xiàn zài kàn zhe 、 zhàn zhe 、 kāi zhe zhè xiē biǎo dá lǐ。
着 often appears in expressions like looking, standing, and being open.
5 examples
门开着。
mén kāi zhe。
The door is open.
他站着看书。
tā zhàn zhe kàn shū。
He stands reading a book.
我看着你。
wǒ kàn zhe nǐ。
I am looking at you.
灯亮着。
dēng liàng zhe。
The light is on.
孩子笑着说。
hái zi xiào zhe shuō。
The child said with a smile.
5 mini stories
窗户开着，风轻轻吹进来。
chuāng hù kāi zhe， fēng qīng qīng chuī jìn lái。
The window is open, and the wind blows in gently.
老师站着讲课，我们都认真听着。
lǎo shī zhàn zhe jiǎng kè， wǒ men dōu rèn zhēn tīng zhe。
The teacher stands and teaches, and we all listen carefully.
门外有一只小狗站着等人。
mén wài yǒu yì zhī xiǎo gǒu zhàn zhe děng rén。
There is a puppy standing at the door waiting for someone.
妈妈笑着给我倒水。
mā ma xiào zhe gěi wǒ dǎo shuǐ。
Mom smiled while pouring me water.
灯一直亮着，所以房间看起来很暖和。
dēng yì zhí liàng zhe， suǒ yǐ fáng jiān kàn qǐ lái hěn nuǎn huo。
The light stays on, so the room looks warm.
Mini dialogue
看窗外
A
你看着窗外做什么？
Nǐ kànzhe chuāngwài zuò shénme?
What are you doing looking out the window?
B
我看着小鸟呢。
Wǒ kànzhe xiǎo niǎo ne.
I am watching the little bird.
拿着书
A
你手里拿着什么？
Nǐ shǒu lǐ názhe shénme?
What are you holding in your hand?
B
我拿着一本故事书。
Wǒ názhe yī běn gùshì shū.
I am holding a storybook.
Related words and contrasts
contrast
了
le
indicates completed action
着 shows an ongoing state, while 了 shows a finished action.
similar
在
zài
in the process of
Both can show an action is happening. 在 is often used before the verb.