Kilo Lingo

(zhèng zài) - currently, right now, in the process of in Mandarin

zhèngzài

Traditional: 正在

Line drawing of 正在
Coloured illustration of 正在
HSK 3
#274 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

currently, right now, in the process of

Word origin

正在 (zhèngzài) 'in the process of, right now' joins 正 (zhèng, 'just, exactly') and 在 (zài, 'to be at, present'). 在 is a phono-semantic compound with the 土 (tǔ, 'earth') element and 才 (cái) as phonetic, marking presence and location.

Origin
compound
Root
正 (zhèng, 'just now') + 在 (zài, 才 phonetic + 土 earth)

Stroke order

Stroke order for 正

Stroke order for 在

Examples

He is currently sleeping.

I am right now working.

It is currently raining.

Mum is cooking.

I am reading a good book.

正在 (zhèng zài) means currently, right now, in the process of. It is used as a adverb in everyday Mandarin speech.

Where this fits

Used in

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Mandarin · Free printables

正在: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "正在" (currently, right now, in the process of): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 6.