正在 (zhèng zài) — (adverb) indicates an ongoing action; to be cur…

Definition

正在 marks an action happening right now, slightly more emphatic than 在 (zài) for the progressive sense. Place it directly before the verb.

adverb

indicates an ongoing actionto be currently doing (something)

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

正 (just) and 在 (at) combine to mean currently doing something.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng正zhèng

Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Appears in