HSK 1 grammar · new HSK syllabus
在 / 正在: doing something right now
(正)在 before a verb means “-ing”: 我在看书呢 = I’m reading.
Structure
- Subject + (正)在 + verb (+ 呢)
How it works
在 or 正在 before a verb shows that an action is happening at the moment: 他在睡觉, 我们正在上课.
呢 at the end is common in speech and adds the same meaning: 他在睡觉呢. You can even use 呢 alone: 他睡觉呢.
The negative is usually 没在: 我没在看电视.
Examples
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我在看书呢。
Wǒ zài kàn shū ne.
I’m reading.
-
他们正在上课。
Tāmen zhèngzài shàngkè.
They’re in class right now.
-
妈妈在打电话。
Māma zài dǎdiànhuà.
Mum is on the phone.
-
你在做什么？
Nǐ zài zuò shénme?
What are you doing?
-
我没在睡觉，我在听歌。
Wǒ méi zài shuìjiào, wǒ zài tīng gē.
I’m not sleeping; I’m listening to songs.
Words in these examples (16)
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 在 | zài | to be at; at; in; (before a verb) in the middle of doing | HSK 1 |
| 看 | kàn | to look; to watch; to read | HSK 1 |
| 书 | shū | book | HSK 1 |
| 呢 | ne | (particle: "what about…?"; also marks an ongoing state) | HSK 1 |
| 他们 | tāmen | they; them | HSK 1 |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | in the middle of (doing) | HSK 1 |
| 上课 | shàngkè | to have class; to start class | HSK 1 |
| 妈妈 | māma | mum; mother | HSK 1 |
| 打电话 | dǎdiànhuà | to make a phone call | HSK 1 |
| 你 | nǐ | you | HSK 1 |
| 做 | zuò | to do; to make | HSK 1 |
| 什么 | shénme | what | HSK 1 |
| 睡觉 | shuìjiào | to sleep; to go to bed | HSK 1 |
| 听 | tīng | to listen; to hear | HSK 1 |
| 歌 | gē | song | HSK 1 |
Common mistakes
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✗我在看书了。
✓我在看书呢。
Use 呢, not 了, with 在 for an ongoing action.
-
✗他正在是老师。
✓他是老师。
在 / 正在 is for actions, not for 是.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. — 你在做什么？— 我 做饭。
2. 他们正在吃饭 。
3. 我 睡觉，我在看电视。