Progressive Tense with '在'

01

Basic Structure

The pattern is simply: Subject + 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4) + Verb + Object. Without 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4), the sentence might be interpreted as a habit or a general statement rather than a current action.

• 他在睡觉。

  Tā zài shuì·jiào.Tā ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˋ·ㄐㄧㄠˋ.Tā tsai4 shui4·chiao4.

  He is sleeping.

• 我在看书。

  Wǒ zài kàn shū.Wǒ ㄗㄞˋ ㄎㄢˋ ㄕㄨ.Wǒ tsai4 k'an4 shu1.

  I am reading a book.

• 妈妈在做饭。

  Mā·ma zài zuò fàn.Mā·˙ㄇㄚ ㄗㄞˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄢˋ.Mā·ma tsai4 tso4 fan4.

  Mom is cooking.

02

Adding Emphasis with '正在'

To emphasize that an action is in progress at this very moment (meaning "right now" or "in the middle of"), you can use the two-character word 正在 (zhèng·zàiㄓㄥˋ·ㄗㄞˋchêng4·tsai4) instead of just 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4). This is slightly more formal and emphatic.

• 我们正在开会。

  Wǒ·men zhèng·zài kāi huì.Wǒ·˙ㄇㄣ ㄓㄥˋ·ㄗㄞˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄟˋ.Wǒ·mên chêng4·tsai4 k'ai1 hui4.

  We are having a meeting right now.

• 外面正在下雨。

  Wài·miàn zhèng·zài xià yǔ.Wài·ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄥˋ·ㄗㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄩˇ.Wài·mien4 chêng4·tsai4 shia4 yü3.

  It is raining outside right now.

03

Using the Particle '呢'

In spoken Mandarin, it is very common to add the particle 呢 (ne˙ㄋㄜnê) at the end of a progressive sentence. This softens the tone and reinforces the idea that the action is ongoing. You can use 呢 (ne˙ㄋㄜnê) with either 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4) or 正在 (zhèng·zàiㄓㄥˋ·ㄗㄞˋchêng4·tsai4).

• 你在做什么呢？

  Nǐ zài zuò shén·me ne?Nǐ ㄗㄞˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄣˊ·˙ㄇㄜ ˙ㄋㄜ?Nǐ tsai4 tso4 shên2·mê nê?

  What are you doing?

• 我在听音乐呢。

  Wǒ zài tīng yīn·yuè ne.Wǒ ㄗㄞˋ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄧㄣ·ㄩㄝˋ ˙ㄋㄜ.Wǒ tsai4 t'ing1 yin1·yüeh4 nê.

  I am listening to music.

04

Negating the Progressive

To say that someone is not currently doing something, use 没 (méiㄇㄟˊmei2) or 没有 (méi·yǒuㄇㄟˊ·ㄧㄡˇmei2·yu3) before 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4). Do not use 不 (bùㄅㄨˋpu4) for this purpose.

• 他没在看电视。

  Tā méi zài kàn diàn·shì.Tā ㄇㄟˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄎㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄢˋ·ㄕˋ.Tā mei2 tsai4 k'an4 tien4·shih4.

  He is not watching TV.

• 我没有在玩游戏。

  Wǒ méi·yǒu zài wán yóu·xì.Wǒ ㄇㄟˊ·ㄧㄡˇ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨㄢˊ ㄧㄡˊ·ㄒㄧˋ.Wǒ mei2·yu3 tsai4 wan2 yu2·shi4.

  I am not playing games.

05

Distinguishing Location from Action

The word 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4) is also used to indicate location (meaning "at" or "in"). To tell the difference, look at what follows the word:

• If 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4) is followed by a place, it indicates location (e.g., 在家 (zài jiāㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄚtsai4 chia1) - at home).
• If 在 (zàiㄗㄞˋtsai4) is followed by a verb, it indicates progressive action (e.g., 在吃 (zài chīㄗㄞˋ ㄔtsai4 ch'ih1) - is eating).

It is possible to have both in one sentence. In this case, the location comes before the action.

• 我在家吃饭。

  Wǒ zài jiā chī fàn.Wǒ ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔ ㄈㄢˋ.Wǒ tsai4 chia1 ch'ih1 fan4.

  I am eating at home.