[Learn basic Chinese with grammar] How to use 著

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What does 著 mean?

著 ♬ is used after a verb to show that a state continues. It often describes how something remains: open, closed, placed, worn, or written somewhere.

Marker	Basic meaning
著 ♬	continuing state marker

著 is not exactly the same as English “-ing.” It usually focuses on a state that stays the same, not a moving action.

1. Verb + 著: a continuing state

Use 著 ♬ after a verb when the result or state continues.

Pattern	Meaning
Verb + 著	the state continues

Chinese	English
窗戶開著。 ♬	The window is open.
燈亮著。 ♬	The light is on.

These sentences describe the current state: the window remains open, and the light remains on.

2. Location + Verb + 著 + thing

著 ♬ is often used when describing where something is placed, hung, written, or kept.

Pattern	Meaning
Place + Verb + 著 + Thing	There is something in that place, in that state

Chinese	English
牆上掛著一張地圖。 ♬	There is a map hanging on the wall.
桌上放著兩個杯子。 ♬	There are two cups placed on the table.

This pattern often describes what you can see in a place.

3. Wearing something: 穿著 and 戴著

Use 穿著 ♬ for clothing and 戴著 ♬ for things worn on the head, face, hands, or as accessories.

Word	Basic meaning
穿著 ♬	to be wearing clothes
戴著 ♬	to be wearing accessories / glasses / a hat

Chinese	English
他穿著灰色外套。 ♬	He is wearing a gray jacket.
她戴著眼鏡。 ♬	She is wearing glasses.

4. 著 is different from 正在

著 ♬ usually describes a continuing state. 正在 ♬ describes an action happening right now.

Chinese	English	Focus
門開著。 ♬	The door is open.	State
他正在開門。 ♬	He is opening the door right now.	Action in progress

Use 著 when the state continues. Use 正在 when the action is happening at this moment.

Useful words and example sentences