Verb + 着 (indicating existential state)
HSK 3- Location
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used after a verb to describe the existing state of an object at a certain place.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure uses 着 to describe a static, existing state, typically the result of some action. It does not express an action in progress, but rather the state of something at a specific location. The subject of the sentence is usually a noun indicating a place. Think of it like a snapshot of a scene: the door is in a state of being open, the book is in a state of being placed on the table.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 门上贴着一个福字。繁: 門上貼著一個福字。Mén shàng tiē zhe yí ge fú zì.
A character fú is pasted on the door.
- 桌子上放着一本书。繁: 桌子上放著一本書。Zhuōzi shàng fàng zhe yì běn shū.
There is a book placed on the table.
- 墙上挂着一张地图。繁: 牆上掛著一張地圖。Qiáng shàng guà zhe yì zhāng dìtú.
A map is hanging on the wall.
- 他穿着一件黑色的衣服。繁: 他穿著一件黑色的衣服。Tā chuān zhe yí jiàn hēisè de yīfu.
He is wearing a black outfit.
- 床上躺着一个人。繁: 床上躺著一個人。Chuáng shàng tǎng zhe yí ge rén.
There is a person lying on the bed.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:一本书放着在桌子上。Correct:桌子上放着一本书。
In this structure, the location (桌子上) must stand at the beginning of the sentence as the subject, not after the verb.
- Wrong:门是开着。Correct:门开着呢。
No need to use 是. The verb + 着 is sufficient to describe a state. You can add 呢 at the end of the sentence for emphasis.