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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'on the spot' with 当场 (dāngchǎng)

    Manner & Method
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    当场 + Verb

    Explanation

    The adverb 当场 (dāngchǎng) means 'on the spot,' 'right then and there,' or 'at the scene.' It emphasizes that something happened immediately at the location where an event took place, without delay. It is commonly used in news reports to describe events like deaths, arrests, or reactions that occurred instantly.

    Examples

    • 小偷被警察当场抓住了。

      Xiǎotōu bèi jǐngchá dāngchǎng zhuā zhù le.

      The thief was caught by the police on the spot.

    • 他听到这个消息，当场就哭了出来。

      Tā tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, dāngchǎng jiù kū le chūlái.

      When he heard the news, he burst into tears on the spot.

    • 那辆车撞到了树上，司机当场死亡。

      Nà liàng chē zhuàngdào le shù shàng, sījī dāngchǎng sǐwáng.

      The car crashed into a tree, and the driver died on the spot.

    Expressing 'on the spot' with 当场 (dāngchǎng) | Chinese Grammar