The aspect markers

In addition to Time Words, another characteristic of Chinese language that is useful to understand the grammatical aspect of the verb are the adverbs 正 (zhèng), 在 (zài) and 正在 (zhèngzài) and the particles 过 (guò) and 着 (zhe).

The adverbs 正 (zhèng) “in the midst of (doing something)”, 在 (zài) the equivalent of the English -ing form and 正在 (zhèngzài) “to be in the process of” are used to describe an action in progress, be it in the past, in the present or in the future. Being adverbs, they should always be placed before the verb.

去年这个时候，我们正准备出发去俄罗斯。
qùnián zhège shíhòu wǒmen zhèng zhǔnbèi chūfā qù èluósī
[last-year this QU time we ASP to-get-ready to-set-out to-go Russia]
Last year at this time we were getting ready to go to Russia.

小雨在做功课。
xiǎoyǔ zài zuò gōngkè
[Xiao-Yu ASP to-do homework]
Xiao Yu is doing her homework.

明天这个时候，她正在准备去约会。
míngtiān zhège shíhòu tā zhèngzài zhǔnbèi qù yuēhuì
[tomorrow this QU time she ASP to-get-ready to-go date]
Tomorrow at this time she will be getting ready to go on a date.

The completed aspect of the verb, on the other hand, is marked by the particle 过 (guò), placed immediately after the verb. Hence, the action is depicted as something that had already been experienced at least once in a lifetime.

我还没品尝过月饼。
wǒ hái méi pǐnchángguò yuèbǐng
[I yet not to-taste ASP mooncake]
I haven’t tasted mooncakes yet.

这部电影，我已经看过了。
zhè bù diànyǐng, wǒ yǐjīng kànguòle
[this QU movie I already to-watch ASP MOD]
I already saw this movie.

Lastly, the particle 着 (zhe) is used to indicate a long-lasting action and it is placed immediately after the verb as well. In case of sentences which have an additional verb, this particle specifies a contemporary relationship between the condition described by the verb to which the particle is linked and the action of the following verb.

我在入口等着你。
wǒ zài rùkǒu děngzhe nǐ
[I at entrance to-wait ASP you]
I wait for you at the entrance.

老师站着说话。
lǎoshī zhànzhe shuōhuà
[teacher to-stand ASP to-speak]
The teacher speaks while standing.

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