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

端着金碗讨饭，装穷叫苦

duānzhe jīnwǎn tǎofàn, zhuāngqióngjiàokǔ

begging for food while holding a golden bowl: pretending to be poor and crying hardship

箱子的内容在标签上面写着。

Xiāngzi de nèiróng zài biāoqiān shàngmiàn xiězhe.

The contents of the box are listed on the label.

红纸上写着恭贺新禧四个字。

Hóng zhǐ shàng xiězhe gōnghèxīnxǐ sì gè zì.

The red paper has the four characters for Happy New Year written on it.

红色在这里象征着好运。

Hóngsè zài zhèlǐ xiàngzhēngzhe hǎoyùn.

Here, the color red symbolizes good luck.

线板上的针,别着

xiànbǎn shàng de zhēn,bié zhe

a needle on the thread board: pinned in place

经理像是生气了一样盯着我。

Jīnglǐ xiàng shì shēngqì le yíyàng dīngzhe wǒ.

My manager stared at me as if he was angry.

网上流传着一张奇怪的照片。

Wǎngshàng liúchuánzhe yì zhāng qíguài de zhàopiān.

A strange photo is circulating online.

老城区还留着不少旧平房。

Lǎochéng Qū hái liúzhe bùshǎo jiù píngfáng.

The old town still has quite a few old single-story houses.

老城里住着很多手艺好的工匠。

Lǎo chénglǐ zhùzhe hěn duō shǒuyì hǎo de gōngjiàng.

Many skilled artisans live in the old town.

老朋友一直惦记着你。

Lǎopéngyou yìzhí diànjìzhe nǐ.

Your old friend has always been thinking of you.

老母猪翻跟头,全凭嘴支着

lǎo mǔzhū fāngēntou,quán píng zuǐ zhī zhe

an old sow doing a somersault: relies entirely on her snout to prop her up

老街还保持着旧时风貌。

Lǎojiē hái bǎochízhe jiùshí fēngmào.

The old street still keeps its style from the past.

胸口上放鞭炮，心里响着

xiōngkǒu shàng fàngbiānpào, xīnli xiǎng zhe

setting off firecrackers on your chest: it rings in your heart

能不能请你拿着这端？

Néng bùnéng qǐng nǐ názhe zhè duān?

Will you please hold this edge?

脚后跟扎刀子，离心远着呢

jiǎohòugēn zhā dāozi, líxīn yuǎnzhe ne

a knife stuck in the heel: far from the heart

脚踩西瓜皮，两手抓着泥，一溜二抹

jiǎo cǎi xīguā pí, liǎngshǒu zhuāzhe ní, yìliū èr mǒ

feet on a watermelon rind, hands grabbing mud: one slide, two smears

臭豆腐,闻着臭,吃着香

chòudòufu,wénzhe chòu,chīzhe xiāng

stinky tofu: smells bad, tastes good

船长望着前面的汪洋发呆。

Chuánzhǎng wàngzhe qiánmiàn de wāngyáng fādāi.

The captain gazed blankly at the vast waters ahead.

花园里散落着美丽的花朵。

Huāyuán lǐ sànluòzhe měilì de huāduǒ.

There are beautiful flowers scattered throughout the garden.

花都谢了，独这一朵还开着。

Huā dōu xièle, dú zhè yì duǒ hái kāizhe.

The flowers have all withered; only this one is still in bloom.

苹果树上挂着美丽的花朵。

Píngguǒ shù shàng guàzhe měilì de huāduǒ.

The apple tree has a beautiful blossom.

荷花在池塘里盛开着。

Héhuā zài chítáng lǐ shèngkāizhe.

The lotus flowers are in full bloom in the pond.

蓝天上点缀着几朵白云。

Lántiān shàng diǎnzhuìzhe jǐ duǒ báiyún.

A few white clouds were scattered across the blue sky.

藤蔓缠绕着旧围墙。

Téngwàn chánràozhe jiù wéiqiáng.

Vines are twining around the old wall.

虽然房子简陋，但是住着很舒服。

Suīrán fángzi jiǎnlòu, dànshì zhùzhe hěn shūfu.

Although the house is simple and crude, it's comfortable to live in.

蚂蚁戴眼镜，自己觉着脸面不小

mǎyǐ dài yǎnjìng, zìjǐ juézhe liǎnmiàn bù xiǎo

an ant wearing glasses thinks its face is not small

蛋糕旁边放着一盘寿桃。

Dàngāo pángbiān fàngzhe yì pán shòutáo.

A plate of longevity peaches sits next to the cake.

蜻蜓撞着蜘蛛网,有翅难飞

qīngtíng zhuàngzhe zhīzhūwǎng,yǒuchìnánfēi

a dragonfly hits a spider's web: has wings but can hardly fly

螃蟹不忘横着爬

pángxiè bú wàng héngzhe pá

a crab never forgets to crawl sideways

螃蟹走路为什么是横着的？

Pángxiè zǒulù wèishénme shì héngzhe de?

Why do crabs walk sideways?

行星围着固定不动的恒星转。

Xíngxīng wéizhe gùdìng bú dòng de héngxīng zhuàn.

Planets move around a fixed star.

行星绕着太阳转。

Xíngxīng ràozhe tàiyang zhuàn.

The planets revolve around the sun.

被批评还笑着，情商真高！

Bèi pīpíng hái xiàozhe, qíngshāng zhēn gāo!

Smiling even when criticized, what high emotional intelligence!

警察在门口看守着仓库。

Jǐngchá zài ménkǒu kānshǒuzhe cāngkù.

The police are guarding the warehouse at the entrance.

警察手里拿着一根棍，站在路口。

Jǐngchá shǒulǐ názhe yìgēn gùn, zhàn zài lùkǒu.

The police officer stood at the intersection holding a truncheon.

让他一个人待着。

Ràng tā yí gè rén dàizhe.

Leave him alone.

让土地闲置着很浪费。

Ràng tǔdì xiánzhì zhe hěn làngfèi.

It's wasteful to leave the land lying idle.

让我一个人待着。

Ràng wǒ yí gè rén dàizhe.

Leave me alone.

让我们试着好好相处。

Ràng wǒmen shìzhe hǎohǎo xiāngchǔ.

Let's try to get along.

记者冒着大雨赶到了救灾一线。

Jìzhě màozhe dàyǔ gǎndàole jiùzāi yíxiàn.

The reporter braved the heavy rain to reach the front line of the disaster relief.

试着不要哭。

Shìzhe búyào kū.

Try to keep from crying.

试着去爱每一个人。

Shìzhe qù ài měi yí gè rén.

Try to love everyone.

试着学点英语吧。

Shìzhe xué diǎn Yīngyǔ ba.

Try to learn a little English.

诗人抬头望着天上的明月。

Shīrén táitóu wàngzhe tiānshàng de míngyuè.

The poet looks up at the bright moon in the sky.

说话想着说，吃饭尝着吃

shuōhuà xiǎngzhe shuō, chīfàn chángzhe chī

think while you speak, taste while you eat

请你端着盘子，慢慢走。

Qǐng nǐ duānzhe pánzi, mànmàn zǒu.

Please hold the plate level and walk slowly.

请你让一下，别挡着门。

Qǐng nǐ ràng yíxià, bié dǎng zhe mén.

Please move aside and don't block the door.

请务必确认门是锁着的。

Qǐng wùbì quèrèn mén shì suǒzhe de.

Please make sure that the door is locked.

请小心，别把箭对着人。

Qǐng xiǎoxīn, bié bǎ jiàn duì zhe rén.

Be careful, and don't point the arrow at anyone.

请柬上写着七点开始。

Qǐngjiǎn shàng xiězhe qī diǎn kāishǐ.

The invitation says it starts at seven.

谁在影子里藏着？

Shéi zài yǐngzi lǐ cáng zhe?

What is lurking in the shadows?

货架上陈列着各种水果。

Huòjià shàng chénliè zhe gèzhǒng shuǐguǒ.

All kinds of fruit are displayed on the shelves.

跑步时她戴着智能手表。

Pǎobù shí tā dàizhe zhìnéngshǒubiǎo.

She wears a smartwatch when she runs.

跛驴配着破口袋，一摊烂货

bǒlǘ pèizhe pò kǒudài, yì tān lànhuò

a lame donkey paired with a torn sack: a heap of rubbish

路两边种着一排挺拔的白杨树。

Lù liǎngbian zhǒng zhe yìpái tǐngbá de báiyángshù.

A row of tall, straight poplar trees is planted on both sides of the road.

路口的红绿灯不停地变换着颜色。

Lùkǒu de hónglǜdēng bùtíng de biànhuànzhe yánsè.

The traffic light at the intersection keeps changing colors.

路牌上写着机场方向。

Lùpái shàng xiězhe jīchǎng fāngxiàng.

The road sign says it's the way to the airport.

路边开着几朵蒲公英。

Lùbiān kāizhe jǐ duǒ púgōngyīng.

A few dandelions are blooming by the roadside.

路边开着黄色的蒲公英。

Lùbiān kāizhe huángsè de púgōngyīng.

Yellow dandelions are blooming by the roadside.

路边立着一块旧石碑。

Lùbiān lìzhe yíkuài jiù shíbēi.

An old stele stands by the roadside.

踩着梯子吃星星，隔天远

cǎi zhe tīzi chī xīngxing, gétiān yuǎn

Climbing a ladder to eat the stars: still a sky away

踩着银桥上金桥，越走光景越好

cǎi zhe yín qiáo shàng jīn qiáo, yuè zǒu guāngjǐng yuè hǎo

Stepping off a silver bridge onto a golden bridge: the further you go, the better things get

踩着麻绳当蛇，小题大作

cǎi zhe máshéng dàng shé, xiǎotídàzuò

Stepping on a hemp rope and taking it for a snake: making a big fuss over a small matter

踩着鼻子上脸，欺人太甚

cǎi zhe bízi shàng liǎn, qīréntàishèn

Stepping on the nose and climbing onto the face: bullying too far

车在门口等着。

Chē zài ménkǒu děng zhe.

The car is waiting at the gate.

车站的公厕门口排着长队。

Chēzhàn de gōngcè ménkǒu páizhe chángduì.

There is a long line outside the public toilet at the station.

过年了，务工的人都急着回家。

Guònián le, wùgōng de rén dōu jízhe huíjiā.

It's the New Year, and the migrant workers are all eager to go home.

这个位子空着吗？

Zhège wèizi kōng zhe ma?

Is this seat available?

这个小区住着很多白领家庭。

Zhège xiǎoqū zhùzhe hěn duō báilǐng jiātíng.

Many white-collar families live in this neighborhood.

这个座位空着吗？

Zhège zuòwèi kōng zhe ma?

Is this seat empty?

这个杯子上刻着我的名字。

Zhège bēizi shàng kèzhe wǒ de míngzi.

My name is engraved on this cup.

这个杯子里盛着水。

Zhège bēizi lǐ chéngzhe shuǐ.

This glass contains water.

这个椅子坐着不舒服。

Zhège yǐzi zuòzhe bù shūfu.

This chair is uncomfortable.

这个椅子坐着真舒服。

Zhège yǐzi zuòzhe zhēn shūfu.

This chair is really comfortable to sit on.

这个消息预示着什么？

Zhège xiāoxi yùshìzhe shénme?

What does this news augur?

这个老人拄着一根拐杖走路。

Zhège lǎorén zhǔzhe yìgēn guǎizhàng zǒulù.

The old man walked with a stick.

这个问题一直困扰着我们。

Zhège wèntí yìzhí kùnrǎozhe wǒmen.

This problem has been perplexing us all along.

这件事做起来没有听着这么难。

Zhè jiàn shì zuò qǐlai méiyǒu tīngzhe zhème nán.

Once you do it, you see that it's not as hard as it sounds.

这件衣服的标签上写着价格。

Zhè jiàn yīfu de biāoqiān shàng xiězhe jiàgé.

The price is written on this piece of clothing's label.

这位老太太的举止透着一种高贵。

Zhèwèi lǎotàitai de jǔzhǐ tòuzhe yìzhǒng gāoguì.

This old lady's manner carries an air of grandeur.

这几盆花请轮换着放在窗边。

Zhè jǐ pénhuā qǐng lúnhuànzhe fàng zài chuāng biān.

Please put these flowerpots by the window in turn.

这句格言我一直记着。

Zhè jù géyán wǒ yìzhí jì zhe.

I've always remembered this maxim.

这句话里好像藏着玄机。

Zhè jù huà lǐ hǎoxiàng cáng zhe xuánjī.

There seems to be a hidden mystery in this sentence.

这场生意正面临着赤字。

Zhè chǎng shēngyi zhèng miànlínzhe chìzì.

The business is in the red.

这幅古画上画着一条金龙。

Zhè fú gǔhuà shàng huà zhe yìtiáo jīn lóng.

This old painting shows a golden dragon.

这座城市还留着古老的城墙。

Zhè zuò chéngshì hái liúzhe gǔlǎo de chéngqiáng.

This city still has its ancient city wall.

这座山全年覆盖着雪。

Zhè zuò shān quánnián fùgàizhe xuě.

This mountain is covered in snow all-year-round.

这座山被雪覆盖着。

Zhè zuò shān bèi xuě fùgàizhe.

The mountain was covered with snow.

这座庙里供奉着一位女神。

Zhè zuò miào lǐ gòngfèngzhe yí wèi nǚshén.

A goddess is enshrined and worshipped in this temple.

这座桥连接着两个城市。

Zhè zuò qiáo liánjiēzhe liǎng gè chéngshì.

This bridge connects the two cities.

这座老城保留着独特的建筑风貌。

Zhè zuò lǎochéng bǎoliúzhe dútè de jiànzhù fēngmào.

This old town has kept its distinctive architectural style.

这张照片是竖着拍的。

Zhè zhāng zhàopiān shì shùzhe pāi de.

This photo was taken vertically.

这房子正在燃烧着。

Zhè fángzi zhèngzài ránshāozhe.

The house is burning.

这批货由专人一路押着。

Zhè pī huò yóu zhuānrén yílù yā zhe.

This shipment is escorted all the way by a designated person.

这把扇子上画着一只鸟。

Zhè bǎ shànzi shàng huà zhe yìzhī niǎo.

There is a bird painted on this fan.

这条河灌溉着附近的农田。

Zhè tiáo hé guàngàizhe fùjìn de nóngtián.

This river irrigates the farmland nearby.

这枚硬币上印着一个漂亮的国徽。

Zhè méi yìngbì shàng yìnzhe yí gè piàoliang de guóhuī.

A beautiful national emblem is printed on this coin.

这枚硬币的一面印着国徽。

Zhè méi yìngbì de yímiàn yìnzhe guóhuī.

One side of this coin is stamped with the national emblem.

这栋楼很抗震，住着放心。

Zhè dòng lóu hěn kàngzhèn, zhùzhe fàngxīn.

This building is very earthquake-resistant, so it's reassuring to live in.

这片土地蕴含着石油。

Zhè piàn tǔdì yùnhánzhe shíyóu.

This land holds oil beneath it.