在 + Verb / 正在 + Verb
Use this when you want to say someone is in the middle of doing something right now — the Chinese equivalent of English '-ing.' Put 在 (or 正在 for extra emphasis) right before the verb: 在看电视 ('watching TV'), 正在吃饭 ('in the middle of eating'). It works for any action that takes time and is in progress at the moment you're describing. This is one of the first grammar pieces every learner picks up because Chinese verbs have no built-in tense.
Structure
[SUBJECT] (正)在 [VERB] [OBJECT]
zài / zhèngzài + [VERB]
How to Think About It
在 by itself just says 'in progress.' 正 means 'right at this moment.' Stack them as 正在 when you want to underline that the action is happening exactly now, not yesterday, not later. The 在 here is the same character as the location preposition, but mentally treat them as separate tools — 在家 'at home' versus 在看书 'is reading.' You'll often see 呢 at the end of the sentence ('我在看书呢') for a softer, more conversational feel.
Examples
他正在打电话。
Tā zhèngzài dǎ diànhuà.
He's on the phone right now.
孩子们在公园里玩。
Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.
The kids are playing in the park.
我在做饭，等一下再聊。
Wǒ zài zuòfàn, děng yīxià zài liáo.
I'm cooking, let's chat in a bit.
Common Mistake
Learners stack 在 with 了 because in English 'was watching' has both ongoing and past pieces. Chinese keeps these apart: 在 marks 'in progress' and 了 marks 'completed.' Putting both in one clause contradicts itself.
我昨天在看了电视。
我昨天在看电视。
Don't Confuse With
Verb + 着
着 marks a state that lingers ('门开着' the door is open). 在 marks an action unfolding ('他在开门' he's opening the door).
在 + Place
Same character, different job. 在家 means 'at home'; 在 right before a verb means 'currently doing.' Context tells you which.
Verb + 了
了 is the completion marker — the action is done. 在 is the opposite — the action is still happening.
Practice
妈妈____做饭，我们一会儿吃。
Show answer
在
他正____看电视，没听见你说话。
Show answer
在
Arrange: 在 / 学生 / 中文 / 学 / 们
Show answer
学生们在学中文。
Translate: I'm watching a movie right now.
Show answer
我正在看电影。
Write one sentence describing what you are doing this moment.
Show answer
我正在写作业，房间里很安静。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: