Aspects
The subject (S) 正在 verb (V) object (O) sentence pattern is used to describe a progressive action in the past, at the present, or in the future. The verbs that are used in this construction are transitive verbs. For instance,
Time clause |
S V O |
昨 天 我 去 他 家 的 时候 他 正 在 做 晚 饭
zuótiān wǒ qù tā jiā de shíhou tā zhèngzài zuò wănfàn
When I went to his house yesterday, he was cooking the supper .
Time clause |
S V O |
昨 天 他来 看 我 的 时候 我 在 学 习 汉 字
zuótiān tā lái kàn wǒ de shíhou wǒ zài xuéxí Hànzì
When he came to see me yesterday, I was learning Chinese characters .
S V O |
他 正 看 电 视 呢
He is right in the middle of watching the TV .
Time |
S V O |
现在 我 在 上 课 呢
I am having a lesson now .
Time clause |
S V O |
明 天 他 到 中 国 的 时 候,我 在 开 会
míngtiān tā dào zhōngguó de shíhou, wǒ zài kāihuì
When he arrives in China tomorrow, I will be having a meeting .
“ He was cooking the supper”, “ I was learning Chinese characters”, “ He is watching the TV ”, “ I am having a lesson” and “ I will be having a meeting” are all progressive actions.
Some of the elements for the progressive constructions have special emphasis if they are used selectively. For instance, 正 zhèng can precede a verb with 呢 ne at the end of the sentence, without using the element 在 zài to create an emphatic tone of “ right in the middle of”. (See the highlighted sentence below.)
All the following sentences mean he is watching the TV with different tones of emphasis.
S |
正 在 |
V |
O |
呢 |
他 |
正 在 |
看 |
电 视 |
|
他 |
正 在 |
看 |
电 视 |
呢 |
他 |
在 |
看 |
电 视 |
呢 |
他 |
|
看 |
电 视 |
呢 |
他 |
正 |
看 |
电 视 |
呢 |
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Translate the following sentences into Chinese (23, progressive aspects)
Where is Ding Yun?
She is working in the bookshop at moment.
No, she is teaching Gubo Chinese in her dormitory.
What are you doing?
I am putting on my shirt.
I am using the dictionary that you bought me yesterday.
What are you looking at?
I am looking at the map of China.
What are you drinking?
I am drinking the Chinese tea that Mr Wang gave me this morning.
He is buying a Chinese car for his girlfriend.