着 (zhe) - A multifunctional character used as a verb suffix

着Tone 5

zhe ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

着 · zhe

A multifunctional character used as a verb suffix indicating ongoing action (zhe), or meaning 'to wear', 'to touch', 'to apply', 'to use', 'to send' (zhuó), or 'to catch fire', 'to succeed', 'to fall asleep' (zháo), or in compound words like 'plan' (zhāo).

A multifunctional character used as a verb suffix

Usage highlights

wearing clotheslooking atlistening tothinking aboutwaiting forcatching fire

Synonyms

  • 穿— to wear (clothes)
  • 戴— to wear (accessories)
  • 燃— to burn, catch fire

Antonyms

  • 脱— to take off (clothes)
  • 醒— to wake up
  • 灭— to extinguish (fire)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is reading a book (他看着书).
  • She is wearing a red dress (她穿着红裙子).
  • I can't fall asleep (我睡不着).
  • The house caught fire (房子着火了).

Collocations

  • wearing clothes(穿着)
  • looking at(看着)
  • listening to(听着)
  • thinking about(想着)
  • waiting for(等着)
  • catching fire(着火)

Idioms

  • Worry needlessly(不着边际)
  • Completely fascinated(着迷)
  • Anxious and restless(着急)
  • Well thought out(着想)
  • Hard to deal with(着难)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally derived from 箸 (chopsticks), later extended to various meanings including wearing and action continuance.
  • The continuous aspect marker 着 (zhe) is essential in Mandarin grammar for indicating ongoing actions or states.
  • In Buddhist context, 着 can mean attachment or clinging, as in 执着 (attachment).

FAQ