Aspect Particle 着 (zhe) - Ongoing State

You use 着 to describe a static state. It is about things that stay the same for a while. Usually, you attach it directly to a verb. This creates a sense of 'persistence.' It is not about the start or the end. It is about the middle part. If you are sitting, you are in the state of 'sitting.' If a door is open, it is in the state of being 'open.' It feels like the '-ing' in English sometimes. However, it is much more specific. It is about the physical condition or the manner of an action. It is the background music of your Chinese sentences.

1. 1Using 着 is quite simple and follows a set path.
2. 2For positive statements: Subject + Verb + 着 + (Object). For example: 她穿着红裙子 (She is wearing a red dress).
3. 3For negative statements: Subject + 没 + Verb + 着 + (Object). For example: 门没关着 (The door isn't closed).
4. 4For questions: Subject + Verb + 着 + (Object) + 没有? For example: 你拿着钱没有? (Are you holding the money?).
5. 5You do not use 不 for negation here. Always use 没. Also, 着 is a neutral tone. Pronounce it lightly like a quick whisper. Do not stress it too much. It should flow right off the verb.

You will use 着 in four main life scenarios. First, use it for physical states. This includes things like 'sitting,' 'standing,' or 'lying down.' If you are at a job interview, you are 坐着 (sitting). Second, use it for 'wearing' items. Clothes, glasses, and watches all take 着. Third, use it to describe how something is placed. A map 挂着 (is hanging) on the wall. A book 放着 (is lying) on the table. Fourth, use it for two actions happening at once. The first action has 着 to show 'how' you do the second one. For example, 他笑着说话 (He speaks smilingly). He is using his smile as the background for his speaking. It makes your Chinese sound very natural and fluent.

Do not use 着 for actions that happen quickly. You cannot say 'exploding 着' or 'falling 着.' Those are transitions, not states. Also, avoid 着 if you just want to say someone is doing something right now. If your friend asks what you are doing, do not use 着. Use 在 instead. 着 is for the way you are, not the act of doing. For example, 'I am eating' is 我在吃饭. Saying 我吃着饭 sounds like you are using 'eating' as a background for something else. It feels incomplete. It is like a grammar traffic light that is stuck on yellow. It is not quite moving, but it is not stopped either.

The biggest mistake is mixing up 着 and 在. Remember: 在 is for the process. 着 is for the result or state. Another mistake is using 着 with the word 了. They usually do not hang out together. 了 is about change. 着 is about no change. Using them together confuses the listener. It is like saying 'The door finished staying open.' It sounds weird! Also, watch out for your verbs. Some verbs just do not like 着. Verbs like 是 (to be) or 喜欢 (to like) never take it. You cannot 'be-ing' or 'like-ing' in this specific way. Lastly, do not forget the 没 in negatives. Using 不 is a classic beginner move. We have all been there, so do not sweat it!

Let us look at 着 versus 在. 我在穿衣服 means 'I am currently putting on clothes.' You are moving your arms. 我穿着衣服 means 'I am dressed.' You are already in the clothes. One is an action; the other is a state. Now, look at 着 versus 了. 门开了 means 'The door opened.' It was closed, now it is open. 门开着 means 'The door is open.' It has been open for a while. Think of 了 as a movie scene change. Think of 着 as a still photo. If you want to describe a cozy cafe, use 着. 'Music is playing, people are sitting, and coffee is smelling good.' All of these are states that set the mood.