Word: 着 (zhe) aspect particle indicating action in progress or ongoing state

桌子上放着一副新扑克。

Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe yífù xīn pūkè.

A new deck of playing cards is lying on the table.

桌子上放着若干本旧杂志。

Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe ruògān běn jiù zázhì.

There are a number of old magazines on the table.

桌子上的纸被一本书压着。

Zhuōzi shàng de zhǐ bèi yìběn shū yāzhe.

The paper on the table is pressed down by a book.

棉花里裹着针，软里硬

miánhua lǐ guǒzhe zhēn, ruǎn lǐ yìng

a needle wrapped in cotton: soft outside, hard inside

歌手对着话筒唱起了歌。

Gēshǒu duì zhe huàtǒng chàng qǐle gē.

The singer began singing into the microphone.

歌手对着麦克风唱起歌来。

Gēshǒu duì zhe màikèfēng chàng qǐ gē lái.

The singer started singing into the microphone.

正有什么奇怪的事情发生着。

Zhèng yǒu shénme qíguài de shìqing fāshēngzhe.

Something strange is happening.

武大郎战李逵，差着好大一截儿

wǔ dà láng zhàn Lǐ Kuí, chàzhe hǎo dà yìjié ér

Wu Dalang fighting Li Kui: a big gap between them

歹徒拿着刀冲进了商店。

Dǎitú názhe dāo chōngjìnle shāngdiàn.

The criminal rushed into the shop with a knife.

母亲正忙着准备晚餐。

Mǔqīn zhèng mángzhe zhǔnbèi wǎncān.

Mother was busy getting ready for dinner.

母鸡张开翅膀护着小鸡。

Mǔjī zhāngkāi chìbǎng hù zhe xiǎojī.

The hen spread her wings to protect her chicks.

每一首老歌里都蕴藏着一段回忆。

Měi yì shǒu lǎogē lǐ dōu yùncángzhe yíduàn huíyì.

Every old song holds a memory within it.

每个人都在戴着耳机。

Měige rén dōu zài dàizhe ěrjī.

Everybody was wearing headphones.

水里飘浮着一层白色的泡沫。

Shuǐ lǐ piāofúzhe yìcéng báisè de pàomò.

A layer of white foam is floating on the water.

江边屹立着一座高楼。

Jiāngbiān yìlìzhe yí zuò gāolóu.

A tall building towers by the river.

没人盯着她的时候，她甚至会哭。

Méi rén dīngzhe tā de shíhou, tā shènzhì huì kū.

She'll cry even when no one is looking.

河对岸耸立着许多高楼。

Hé duì'àn sǒnglìzhe xǔduō gāolóu.

Many tall buildings tower on the other side of the river.

河水弯曲着流过那个小村子。

Héshuǐ wānqūzhe liú guò nàge xiǎo cūnzi.

The river winds its way past that little village.

河水慢慢侵蚀着山谷。

Héshuǐ mànmàn qīnshízhe shāngǔ.

The river is slowly eroding the valley.

河边并列着几座漂亮的小房子。

Hébiān bìnglièzhe jǐ zuò piàoliang de xiǎofángzi.

Several pretty little houses stand side by side by the river.

河边有几间旧棚，住着一些工人。

Hébiān yǒu jǐ jiān jiù péng, zhùzhe yìxiē gōngrén.

There are a few old shacks by the river where some workers live.

河边的老人正撑着小船过河。

Hébiān de lǎorén zhèng chēngzhe xiǎochuán guòhé.

An old man by the river is poling a small boat across.

河边矗立着一栋新的办公大楼。

Hébiān chùlìzhe yí dòng xīn de bàngōngdàlóu.

A new office building stands tall by the river.

河边长着一丛野花。

Hébiān zhǎngzhe yì cóng yěhuā.

A cluster of wildflowers grows by the river.

河里漂着几只空瓶子。

Hé lǐ piāozhe jǐzhī kōng píngzi.

A few empty bottles are floating in the river.

洞顶挂着很多钟乳石。

Dòng dǐng guàzhe hěn duō zhōngrǔshí.

Lots of stalactites hang from the roof of the cave.

洪水在山谷里激荡着。

Hóngshuǐ zài shāngǔ lǐ jīdàngzhe.

The floodwater raged through the valley.

浓雾笼罩着整个小城。

Nóngwù lǒngzhàozhe zhěnggè xiǎochéng.

Thick fog envelops the whole small town.

海报上写着这个月的剧目。

Hǎibào shàng xiězhe zhège yuè de jùmù.

The poster lists this month's programme of plays.

海边的沙丘上长着矮草。

Hǎibiān de shāqiū shàng zhǎngzhe ǎi cǎo.

Short grass grows on the sandy hills by the sea.

海边的风带着一股腥味。

Hǎibiān de fēngdài zhe yìgǔ xīng wèi.

The wind by the sea carries a fishy smell.

海里生活着亿万条小鱼。

Hǎilǐ shēnghuózhe yìwàn tiáo xiǎoyú.

Millions upon millions of little fish live in the sea.

消防员冒着危险，救了他的性命。

Xiāofángyuán màozhe wēixiǎn, jiùle tā de xìngmìng.

The firefighter risked danger and saved his life.

港口停着很多集装箱。

Gǎngkǒu tíngzhe hěn duō jízhuāngxiāng.

There are lots of shipping containers parked at the port.

港口里停着一艘军舰。

Gǎngkǒu lǐ tíngzhe yì sōu jūnjiàn.

A warship is docked in the harbor.

游泳池里漂浮着很多彩色的球。

Yóuyǒngchí lǐ piāofúzhe hěn duō cǎisè de qiú.

Lots of colorful balls are floating in the swimming pool.

游行的人手里都举着标语。

Yóuxíng de rén shǒulǐ dōu jǔzhe biāoyǔ.

The people in the march were all holding placards.

湖边站着一只洁白的仙鹤。

Húbiān zhànzhe yìzhī jiébái de xiānhè.

A pure white crane is standing by the lake.

湖面上游着几只白色的天鹅。

Hú miàn shàngyóu zhe jǐzhī báisè de tiān'é.

A few white swans are swimming on the lake.

湖面反射着天上的白云。

Hú miàn fǎnshèzhe tiānshàng de báiyún.

The surface of the lake reflects the white clouds in the sky.

火绒脾气,沾火就着

huǒróng píqi,zhān huǒ jiù zháo

A tinder temper: catches the moment it touches fire

火车呼啸着进了隧道。

Huǒchē hūxiàozhe jìnle suìdào.

The train whistled as it rushed into the tunnel.

灯没有亮着。

Dēng méiyǒu liàngzhe.

The lights aren't on.

灯还亮着，莫非他还没睡？

Dēng hái liàngzhe, mòfēi tā hái méi shuì?

The light is still on. Can it be that he hasn't gone to bed yet?

灵柩前摆着白色的花。

Língjiù qián bǎizhe báisè de huā.

White flowers were placed in front of the coffin.

炉子上正煮着一锅热汤。

Lúzi shàng zhèng zhǔzhe yì guō rètāng.

A pot of hot soup is cooking on the stove.

烟雾盘旋着升向天空。

Yānwù pánxuánzhe shēng xiàng tiānkōng.

The smoke spirals up into the sky.

照片中的每一个人都在微笑着。

Zhàopiān zhōng de měi yí gè rén dōu zài wēixiàozhe.

Everybody in the picture is smiling.

熬夜时别靠兴奋剂撑着。

Áoyè shí bié kào xīngfènjì chēngzhe.

Don't rely on stimulants to get you through a late night.

父亲的话一直勉励着我往前走。

Fùqīn de huà yìzhí miǎnlìzhe wǒ wǎngqián zǒu.

My father's words have always encouraged me to keep moving forward.

父亲肩负着养家的责任。

Fùqīn jiānfù zhe yǎngjiā de zérèn.

My father shoulders the responsibility of supporting the family.

父母一直守护着这个家。

Fùmǔ yìzhí shǒuhùzhe zhège jiā.

My parents have always protected this family.

爷爷奶奶照顾着三个留守儿童。

Yéye nǎinai zhàoguzhe sān gè liúshǒu'értóng.

The grandparents are looking after three left-behind children.

爷爷拄着拐杖慢慢走路。

Yéye zhǔzhe guǎizhàng mànmàn zǒulù.

Grandpa walks slowly, leaning on his cane.

爸爸扛着锄头去地里。

Bàba káng zhe chútou qù dìlǐ.

Dad carried his hoe on his shoulder to the field.

爸爸拿着相机，等着拍月食。

Bàba názhe xiàngjī, děng zhe pāi yuèshí.

Dad is holding his camera, waiting to photograph the eclipse of the moon.

爸爸躺着看电视。

Bàba tǎngzhe kàn diànshì.

My father was lying down while watching TV.

牛肉横着切片，更容易熟。

Niúròu héngzhe qiēpiàn, gèng róngyì shú.

Slice the beef across the grain and it cooks more easily.

牛蹄子，两掰着

niú tízi, liǎng bāizhe

an ox's hoof: split in two

牛鼻子穿环，让人家牵着走

niúbízi chuān huán, ràng rénjiā qiānzhe zǒu

a ring through the ox's nose: it gets led along by others

牵着不走，打着走

qiānzhe bù zǒu, dǎzhe zǒu

won't move when led, moves when hit

狗整夜守护着这座房子。

Gǒu zhěngyè shǒuhùzhe zhè zuò fángzi.

The dog guards this house all night.

狗绕着桌子走。

Gǒu ràozhe zhuōzi zǒu.

The dog is walking around the table.

猫卧在草地上，盯着小鸟。

Māo wò zài cǎodì shàng, dīngzhe xiǎoniǎo.

The cat crouched on the grass, staring at the bird.

猫埋伏在草丛里，等着老鼠。

Māo máifú zài cǎocóng lǐ, děng zhe lǎoshǔ.

The cat lay in wait in the grass for a mouse.

猫追着鼠跑进了厨房。

Māo zhuīzhe shǔ pǎo jìnle chúfáng.

The cat chased the mouse into the kitchen.

玉皇大帝管着天上的神仙。

Yùhuáng Dàdì guǎnzhe tiānshàng de shénxiān.

The Jade Emperor rules over the immortals in heaven.

现在是时候等着了。

Xiànzài shì shíhou děng zhe le.

It's time to wait now.

现在还下着雨吗？

Xiànzài hái xià zhe yǔ ma?

Is it still raining?

球迷们挥舞着围巾加油。

Qiúmímen huīwǔzhe wéijīn jiāyóu.

The fans waved their scarves to cheer on the team.

球迷们簇拥着冠军走出球场。

Qiúmímen cùyōngzhe guànjūn zǒuchū qiúchǎng.

Fans crowded around the champion as he walked out of the stadium.

球迷们都在门口等着看比赛。

Qiúmímen dōu zài ménkǒu děng zhe kàn bǐsài.

The fans were all waiting at the gate to watch the match.

球迷都盼着他早日复出。

Qiúmí dōu pànzhe tā zǎorì fùchū.

The fans are all hoping he will return soon.

琴架上放着一本翻旧了的乐谱。

Qín jià shàng fàngzhe yìběn fān jiùle de yuèpǔ.

A well-worn book of sheet music sat on the music stand.

瑞雪预示着来年丰收。

Ruìxuě yùshìzhe lái nián fēngshōu.

A timely snowfall foretells a good harvest next year.

生活变好了，也伴随着新的压力。

Shēnghuó biàn hǎole, yě bànsuízhe xīn de yālì.

Life has gotten better, but it comes with new pressures too.

用双手拿着它。

Yòng shuāngshǒu názhe tā.

Hold it with both hands.

电脑里存着海量照片。

Diànnǎo lǐ cúnzhe hǎiliàng zhàopiān.

The computer holds a massive number of photos.

电饭煲里的饭还热着呢。

Diànfànbāo lǐ de fàn hái rè zhe ne.

The rice in the rice cooker is still warm.

登机牌上写着几号门？

Dēngjīpái shàng xiězhe jǐhào mén?

Which gate does the boarding pass say?

盯着人看是不礼貌的。

Dīngzhe rén kàn shì bù lǐmào de.

It isn't polite to stare at people.

盯着别人看是不礼貌的。

Dīngzhe biéren kàn shì bù lǐmào de.

It is rude to stare at someone.

看日食不能直接盯着太阳。

Kàn rìshí bùnéng zhíjiē dīngzhe tàiyang.

When watching a solar eclipse, you must not stare straight at the sun.

睡觉时别对着电风扇吹。

Shuìjiào shí bié duì zhe diànfēngshàn chuī.

Don't sleep with the fan blowing right at you.

瞪着眼睛打呼噜，装睡

dèngzhe yǎnjing dǎhūlu, zhuāngshuì

snoring with eyes wide open: pretending to sleep

石碑上刻着很多名字。

Shíbēi shàng kèzhe hěn duō míngzi.

Many names are carved on the stone tablet.

码头上堆着很多集装箱。

Mǎtou shàng duīzhe hěn duō jízhuāngxiāng.

Lots of shipping containers are piled up on the dock.

砧板上放着刚切好的葱和姜。

Zhēnbǎn shàng fàngzhe gāngqiē hǎo de cōng hé Jiāng.

The freshly cut scallions and ginger are on the chopping board.

碗里还残留着一些饭菜。

Wǎn lǐ hái cánliúzhe yìxiē fàncài.

Some food is still left in the bowl.

礁石上站着一只海鸟。

Jiāoshí shàng zhànzhe yìzhī hǎiniǎo.

A seabird is standing on the reef.

种子里蕴藏着生命的力量。

Zhǒngzi lǐ yùncángzhe shēngmìng de lìliang.

A seed holds within it the power of life.

租约上写着不能养宠物吗？

Zūyuē shàng xiězhe bùnéng yǎng chǒngwù ma?

Does the lease say that pets are not allowed?

空中浮动着淡淡的花香。

Kōngzhōng fúdòngzhe dàndàn de huāxiāng.

A faint scent of flowers drifts in the air.

空气中充斥着海的气息。

Kōngqì zhōng chōngchìzhe hǎi de qìxī.

The air was permeated by the smell of the sea.

空间站在太空中绕着地球转。

Kōngjiānzhàn zài tàikōng zhōng ràozhe dìqiú zhuàn.

The space station orbits the Earth in outer space.

窗台上放着一盆小花。

Chuāngtái shàng fàngzhe yì pén xiǎohuā.

There is a small pot of flowers on the windowsill.

窗外刮着强劲的北风。

Chuāng wài guāzhe qiángjìng de běifēng.

A strong north wind is blowing outside the window.

窗户是关着的吗？

Chuānghu shì guānzhe de ma?

Were the windows closed?

窗边置着一盆刚开的花。

Chuāng biān zhìzhe yì pén gāng kāi de huā.

A pot of freshly bloomed flowers sits by the window.

站牌上写着车几点到。

Zhànpái shàng xiězhe chē jǐdiǎn dào.

The sign at the stop shows what time the bus arrives.