Verb phrasesHSK 5
Using 着 when 'verbing away'
To express that 'while doing something continuously, something else happened,' repeat the verb with 着 (Verb + 着 + Verb + 着), then add 就 and a comment sentence ending with 了. The 了 marks a change or result, and the pattern works best with sustained actions like talking, walking, or eating.
Structure
Verb + 着 + Verb + 着 + 就 + Comment + 了
Use verbs that describe sustained actions; the Comment is a full clause explaining what occurred as a result.
Examples
- 说着说着我就发现自己也糊涂了。Shuō zhe shuō zhe wǒ jiù fāxiàn zìjǐ yě hútu le .After talking and talking, I realized that I had confused myself.
- 我今天一直都在看《论语》，看着看着，就睡着了。Wǒ jīntiān yīzhí dōu zài kàn Lúnyǔ, kàn zhe kàn zhe , jiù shuìzháo le .Today, I was reading the Confucian Analects all day. As I was reading, I fell asleep.
- 我在北京的胡同里走着走着就走丢了。Wǒ zài Běijīng de hútòng li zǒu zhe zǒu zhe jiù zǒu diū le .Walking and walking in Beijing's back alleys, I got lost.
- 我听着听着歌，就唱起来了。Wǒ tīng zhe tīng zhe gē, jiù chàng qǐlái le .As I listened and listened to the songs, I began to sing.
- 我上着上着课，就听到外面有人叫我。Wǒ shàng zhe shàng zhe kè, jiù tīng dào wàimiàn yǒu rén jiào wǒ.As I sat through class after class, I heard someone calling me from outside.