Definitions
(particle)
aspect particle indicating action in progress
(verb)
to wear; to use; to apply
(verb)
to touch; to come in contact with; to catch fire; to succeed in
About
The character "着" derives from the traditional form "著", originally structured with the grass radical over the component "者" and conveying notions of making something apparent or attaching it. As a colloquial variant that gradually stabilized, "着" altered this composition by situating "羊" above "目", a structural simplification that preserved its phonetic connection while distinguishing its visual form. Semantically, it moved from indicating physical acts such as wearing garments or placing objects toward adopting a functional role in grammar, where it now primarily serves to denote the continuous or durative aspect of verbs, a development that occurred through prolonged usage in both literary and vernacular contexts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我正拿着书。
他笑着对我说。
妈妈忙着准备晚餐。
我们沿着河边散步。
他躺着看书，不小心睡着了。
她着急地等着公交车的到来。
尽管下着雨，他还是出去了。
他持续不断地工作着，似乎不知疲倦。