V 着
Pattern
Verb 1 + 着 + Verb 2
Key words
Core idea
着 can mark a background manner: one action describes how another action is done.
The pattern is:
verb + 着 + main actionThe first verb is not the main event. It sets the posture, expression, or ongoing background for the second action.
Usage boundary
This use of 着 often appears with verbs such as standing, sitting, smiling, holding, listening, or looking. It is less about a completed result and more about the manner in which the main action happens.
Compare with ongoing action
The same marker can also describe an ongoing state. Here, the key is that the 着 phrase supports another action rather than being the whole message.
Examples
她笑着说话。
Tā xiào zhe shuōhuà.
She talks while smiling.
他站着吃饭。
Tā zhàn zhe chīfàn.
He eats standing up.
我听着音乐做功课。
Wǒ tīng zhe yīnyuè zuò gōngkè.
I do homework while listening to music.
Common mistakes
Avoid
她笑说话着。
Use
她笑着说话。
The background action takes 着 right after its verb, before the main action.