正在

zhèng zài

to be in the process of

HSK Level 1

Example Sentences

我正在吃饭。

wǒ zhèngzài chīfàn.

I am eating.

他正在看书。

tā zhèngzài kànshū.

He is reading.

她在唱歌。

tā zài chànggē.

She is singing.

Synonyms

当今 (dāng jīn)

at present

现在 (xiàn zài)

now

目前 (mù qián)

currently

Antonyms

已经 (yǐjīng)

already

尚未 (shàngwèi)

not yet

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Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 正在 (zhèngzài) is composed of two characters: 正 (zhèng) and 在 (zài). 正 means "correct", "upright", or "proper", while 在 means "to be in a place or state". Together, 正在 means "to be in the process of doing something" or "to be in the middle of something".The word 正在 is often used to describe an ongoing action or event. For example, you could say 正在吃饭 (zhèngzài chīfàn) to mean "I am eating" or 正在工作 (zhèngzài gōngzuò) to mean "I am working". 正在 can also be used to describe a situation or state that is currently happening. For example, you could say 正在下雨 (zhèngzài xiàyǔ) to mean "it is raining" or 正在开会 (zhèngzài kāihuì) to mean "there is a meeting going on".The word 正在 is a very common word in Chinese and it is used in a variety of contexts. It is important to understand the meaning of 正在 in order to be able to communicate effectively in Chinese.