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着

zhe / zháo / zhuó

着zhe

1. aspect particle after a verb: marks an ongoing action or continuing state

   门开着，请直接进来。

   Mén kāi zhe, qǐng zhíjiē jìnlái.

   The door is open — please come right in.

2. aspect particle after a verb: strengthens a command or reminder

   你听着，我只说一遍。

   Nǐ tīng zhe, wǒ zhǐ shuō yī biàn.

   Listen up — I will only say this once.

3. particle after adjectives/verbs with 呢: emphasizes degree or a continuing state

   他忙着呢，别去打扰他。

   Tā máng zhe ne, bié qù dǎrǎo tā.

   He is really busy — don't disturb him.

着zháo

1. verb to be affected by; to catch (a chill etc.)

   外面冷，小心别着凉。

   Wàimiàn lěng, xiǎoxīn bié zháoliáng.

   It's cold outside — be careful not to catch a chill.

2. verb to burn; to catch fire

   房子着火了，快打电话报警！

   Fángzi zháohuǒ le, kuài dǎ diànhuà bàojǐng!

   The house is on fire — call the police, quick!

3. verb to fall asleep

   他太累了，躺下就睡着了。

   Tā tài lèi le, tǎngxià jiù shuìzháo le.

   He was so tired that he fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

4. verb verb complement: indicates success or result

   我终于买着那本书了。

   Wǒ zhōngyú mǎi zháo nà běn shū le.

   I finally managed to buy that book.

着zhuó

1. verb to wear; to be dressed in (written)

   他身着西装出席了晚会。

   Tā shēn zhuó xīzhuāng chūxí le wǎnhuì.

   He attended the evening party dressed in a suit.

2. verb to touch; to come into contact (written)

   飞机安全着陆。

   Fēijī ānquán zhuólù.

   The plane landed safely.

The full ChinesePath dictionary entry for 着 includes audio for every reading and example sentence, more example sentences, collocations, synonyms and links to the course units where it is taught.