HSK 7
当着
dāng zhe
当着
Explanation
当着 (dāngzhe) is a preposition (a word placed before a noun to show a relation: at, with, before...) meaning 'right in front of (someone)', emphasizing that an action takes place openly, without concealment.
当着 (dāngzhe) + (someone) + 的面 (de miàn) + action (e.g. 当着大家的面 dāngzhe dàjiā de miàn = in front of everyone). The phrase 当着...的面 functions as an adverbial (an element indicating place or manner) standing before the verb.
when you want to emphasize doing something openly, right in front of the person concerned.
当着 (dāngzhe) forms a fixed pair with 的面; whereas 当 (dāng) alone or 面对 (miànduì, to face) does not carry this nuance of 'openly, without concealment'.
dropping 的面 (wrong: 当着大家把礼物拆开) — the standard structure requires the full 当着...的面; or placing this phrase after the verb instead of before (it must stand before the verb as an adverbial).
Examples
Right in front of me, say whatever you want to say.
I unwrapped the gift right in front of everyone.
Practice
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Learn “当着” effectively
The grammar point “当着” (当着) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. 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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