Xmas Offer Get 50% OFF
Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 着
着 (zhe) is a particle used to indicate the continuous aspect of a situation.
We can also use it to express the existence, appearance, or disappearance of someone or something.
The meaning of existential structure is similar to the ‘There is’ structure in English.
HOW TO USE 着 | BASIC STRUCTURE
We often pair 着 with stative verbs in existential structures to express that someone or something exists, and there is a continuous state.
PATTERN
Place + Verb + 着 + [Noun Phrase]
- Verb: Unlike action verbs, the verb here describes a state such as sitting, standing, or lying
- Noun Phrase: Something or Somebody
Note that in English we sometimes use a verb in its “-ing” form, and sometimes use the passive “-ed” form of the verb.
EXPRESSING EXISTENCE 是 WITH
“是” is also often used in alternative existing sentences to indicate the location or area.
It’s worth noting that there’s no real time indication for 是 structure. It could be setting a scene in a story (in the past) or describing the current state of things (in the present).
PATTERN
Place + 是 + [Noun Phrase]
Let’s look at the following two sentences:
- 盒子里是一条项链。
- 盒子里放着一条项链。
Comparing the two examples, they both mean “there’s a necklace inside the box.” However, there’s a slight difference between the sentences.
In the first sentence, the object (项链) that comes after 是 is the only thing (worth mentioning) in that area.
In other words, if you use 是 in the sentence, that indicates, “There is nothing in the box other than the necklace.”
You should also note that 是 is used to describe a singular object existing somewhere, while 有 can refer to multiple objects/people.
Learn Mandarin with Flexi Classes
Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.
FAQs
What is 着?
着 is a particle used to indicated the continuous aspect of a situation.
We can also use it to express the existence, appearance, or disappearance of someone or something.
What is the sentence structure with 着?
We often pair 着 with stative verbs in existential structures to express that someone or something exists, and there is a continuous state. The structure is as follows.
Place + Verb + 着 + [Noun Phrase]
Verb: Unlike action verbs, the verb here describes a state such as sitting, standing, or lying
Noun Phrase: Something or Somebody
Some examples of sentences with 着?
餐桌上放着一个苹果派。| There is an apple pie on the table.
教室里站着一个学生。| There is a student standing in the classroom.
墙上挂着一个钟表。| There is a clock on the wall.
How else to express existence in Chinese?
“是” is also often used in alternative existing sentences to indicate the location or area.
It’s worth noting that there’s no real time indication for 是 structure. It could be setting a scene in a story (in the past) or describing the current state of things (in the present).
The sentence structure is:
Place + 是 + [Noun Phrase]
桌子上是昨天没吃完的菜。| The food that was left over from yesterday is on the table.
书包里是我的作业。| My homework is in the bag.
箱子里是给你的礼物。| Your gift is in the bow.
Can I study abroad with LTL?
We offer multiple destination to learn Chinese indeed, in mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan.
If you fancy learning other languages, we also offer courses in South Korea, Japan and Vietnam!
What is LTL?
LTL Language School is a Chinese language school founded in Beijing in 2007. We now offer Mandarin courses in 8 destinations across mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan.
We even have an online teaching platform called Flexi Classes, where students can learn 10 languages 24/7 by choosing when and what topic to study.
Want to know more? Check out our full story here.