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In the previous lesson, we learn that 有 (yǒu) can be used to express the existence of someone or something in a particular place. You can also use 著 [着] (zhe) to express it. So, what is the difference between them?

 

著 [着] (zhe) is for ‘stative’ verbs

In terms of expressing existence, 著 [着] (zhe) is generally paired with stative verbs rather than dynamic verbs. The examples of the static condition verbs including placed, lived, hanged, parked, and so on.

Structure:

Location + Verb + 著 [着] + Object

 

Location	Verb	著 [着]	Object
衣櫃裡	掛	著	一些衣服。
衣柜里	挂	着	一些衣服。
Yī guì lǐ	guà	zhe	yī xiē yī fú.
in the wardrobe	hanging	there are	some clothes
There are some clothes hanging in the wardrobe.

 

Location	Verb	著 [着]	Object
沙發上	睡	著	一個小女孩。
沙发上	睡	着	一个小女孩。
Shā fā shàng	shuì	zhe	yī gè xiǎo nǚ hái.
on the sofa	sleeping	there is	a little girl
There is a little girl sleeping on the sofa.

 

NEGATIVE SENTENCE

Just like 有 (yǒu), we use 沒 [没] (méi) – instead of 不 (bù) – as the negative determiners to express ‘there is no’ or ‘there are no’.

Structure: Location + 沒 [没] + Verb + 著 [着] + Object

 

Location	沒 [没]	Verb	著 [着]	Object
衣櫃裡	沒	掛	著	衣服。
衣柜里	没	挂	着	衣服。
Yī guì lǐ	méi	guà	zhe	yī fú.
in the wardrobe	no	hanging	there are	clothes
There are no clothes hanging in the wardrobe.

 

Location	沒 [没]	Verb	著 [着]	Object
沙發上	沒	睡	著	小女孩。
沙发上	没	睡	着	小女孩。
Shā fā shàng	méi	shuì	zhe	xiǎo nǚ hái.
on the sofa	no	sleeping	there is	little girl
There is no little girl sleeping on the sofa.

 

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