HSK 5
A着A着
A zhe A zhe
Structure 'A着A着' describing an action in progress when something else happens
Explanation
The structure 'A着A着' repeats the verb A twice with the particle 着 (zhe — a particle indicating an ongoing action; a particle is a function word added to a sentence to express a grammatical meaning, without a meaning of its own), expressing: while doing A continuously, another action suddenly occurs (usually unintended).
verb + 着 + verb + 着 + 就 (jiù) + new result. For example 说着说着就哭了 (was talking and then burst into tears), 看着看着就睡着了 (was watching and then fell asleep).
When narrating a prolonged action that leads to a sudden, natural change (crying, sleeping, forgetting...). It usually has 就 (jiù) right before the result clause to connect them, and often ends with 了 (le).
Vietnamese learners often forget the 着 in one of the two parts, or repeat a noun instead of the verb (only verbs of prolonged action can be used). Don't forget 就 to introduce the result — without 就 the sentence feels loose.
Examples
She talked and talked and then burst into tears.
I was lying in bed watching TV, and watching and watching I fell asleep.
Practice
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Learn “A着A着” effectively
The grammar point “A着A着” (Structure 'A着A着' describing an action in progress when something else happens) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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