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HSK 2 Chinese Grammar Lesson

Saying what is happening right now with 正在

正在

Zhèngzài

2:13 min video · 7 sentences · 6 key words

Transcript with pinyin and English

Hide the English to test yourself.
  1. 小李给妈妈打电话。Xiǎo Lǐ gěi māma dǎdiànhuà.Xiao Li calls her mom.
  2. 妈妈说：“我正在做饭。”Māma shuō: “Wǒ zhèngzài zuòfàn.”Mom says, "I'm cooking right now."
  3. 小李问：“爸爸呢？”Xiǎo Lǐ wèn: “Bàba ne?”Xiao Li asks, "Where's Dad?"
  4. 妈妈说：“他正在看电视。”Māma shuō: “Tā zhèngzài kàn diànshì.”Mom says, "He's watching TV right now."
  5. 他正在看电视，还在笑呢。Tā zhèngzài kàn diànshì, hái zài xiào ne.He's watching TV, and he's laughing too.
  6. 小李说：“我正在回家！”Xiǎo Lǐ shuō: “Wǒ zhèngzài huíjiā!”Xiao Li says, "I'm on my way home!"
  7. 妈妈说：“快来，我们正在等你。”Māma shuō: “Kuài lái, wǒmen zhèngzài děng nǐ.”Mom says, "Hurry, we're waiting for you."

About this lesson

Xiao Li calls her mom and, with each call, finds out what everyone at home is doing right now. At last she hears that dinner is ready and rushes home.

How to practise

  1. Read how the pattern works on the first card, then listen to each example sentence.
  2. Repeat every example out loud in the 跟读 · Your turn pause: the pattern should start to feel automatic.
  3. At the end, check the common mistake and say the practice sentence yourself.

Key words 生词

ChinesePinyinEnglishLevel
打电话dǎdiànhuàto make a phone callHSK 1
做饭zuòfànto cookHSK 2
电视diànshìTVHSK 1
电影diànyǐngmovieHSK 1
回家huíjiāto go homeHSK 1
等děngto waitHSK 1

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