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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing actions in progress with 正在 (zhèngzài)

    HSK 2
    Actions & Events
    Aspect & Tense

    Structure

    Subject + 正在 + Verb

    Explanation

    正在 indicates that an action is currently in progress, similar to the English present continuous "-ing." It is placed before the verb to emphasize that the action is happening right now. For example, 我正在吃饭 means "I am eating right now" and 他正在看书 means "He is reading right now."

    Examples

    • 她正在打电话，等一下再说。

      tā zhèngzài dǎ diànhuà, děng yíxià zài shuō.

      She's on the phone right now, let's talk later.

    • 别吵，孩子们正在睡觉。

      bié chǎo, háizimen zhèngzài shuìjiào.

      Be quiet, the children are sleeping.

    • 我正在学做中国菜，挺有意思的。

      wǒ zhèngzài xué zuò zhōngguó cài, tǐng yǒu yìsi de.

      I'm learning to cook Chinese food, it's quite interesting.

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