Word of the Day · 2026-09-13

zhèng正
zài在
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing

HSK Level 1

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Examples

我正在写作业，等一下再跟你玩。

Wǒ zhèngzài xiě zuòyè, děng yīxià zài gēn nǐ wán.

→ I'm doing my homework right now; I'll play with you later.

她正在吃饭，不要打扰她。

Tā zhèngzài chīfàn, bùyào dǎrǎo tā.

→ She is eating dinner, so don't disturb her.

Did You Know?

Grammar

Word Formation

正 means 'just/exactly' and 在 means 'at/in the process of'.

Usage Tips

正在 is used before a verb to indicate an ongoing action: 我正在吃饭 (I am eating right now). It's more emphatic than just 在.

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