Definition
着 (zháo) is a verb complement that indicates an action has succeeded or reached a result, like 'fall asleep' (睡着) or 'find' (找着). It's not a standalone verb — it attaches to another verb to show completion or entering a state.
verb
(verb complement) to succeed in doingto come into a state (in 睡着, 找着, 着火)
Easily confused
- 着zhelook-alike(particle) indicates an action in progress or a continuing state
- 找zhǎosound-aliketo look for, to seek
- 善shànlook-alikevirtuous; kind-hearted; benevolent
- 照zhàosound-aliketo shine on, to illuminate
- 差chàlook-alike(adjective) poor, inferior, not up to standard
- 招zhāosound-aliketo recruit, to hire
- 样yànglook-alike(classifier) kind, type, variety
- 罩zhàosound-aliketo cover, to envelop
- 痒yǎnglook-alikeitchy
Examples
- ，。Tā tài lèi le, yí shàng chē jiù shuì zháo le.He was so tired he fell asleep as soon as he got in the car.
- 着。Wǒ zhōngyú zhǎo zháo le nà ge gōngyuán.I finally found that park.
- ，着。Zhǐ tài shī, diǎn bù zháo.The paper is too wet to catch fire.
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