着

• Pinyin: zhe
• Hanzi breakdown: 着 = 羊 (sheep, top component) + 目 (eye) — originally 'to see/touch', now a grammatical particle

Meaning

An aspect particle indicating an ongoing state or continuous action.

One of the most important grammatical particles in Chinese. Placed after a verb to indicate that an action or state is continuing. Different from 在 which emphasises an action in progress; 着 emphasises the resulting state. For example: 门开着 (the door is open — state), 他穿着红色的衣服 (he is wearing red clothes — state).

Examples

1. 门开着呢。 The door is open.
2. 她穿着一件白色的衣服。 She is wearing a white dress.
3. 桌子上放着一本书。 There is a book on the table.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他站着说话。(He is standing while speaking.)
• 窗户开着。(The window is open.)

Don't Say

• 我着吃饭。(Don't put 着 before the verb — say 我吃着饭 to mean 'while eating')

Origin & History

Originally meant 'to touch' or 'to contact'. Over time it grammaticalised into an aspect marker indicating a continuing state.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal