The aspect particle “着” (1)

In Chinese “着” (zhe) follows the verb and shows that an action or state is continuing.

In the negative, 没（有）goes before the verb.

Basic structure

Verb + 着

Meaning: to be in the state of … to be … -ing the action or state is going on

没（有）+ verb + 着

Meaning: is not in that state is not … -ing

那(Nà)你(nǐ)在(zài)这儿(zhèr)坐(zuò)着(zhe)。

Then just sit here.

坐 + 着 sit + continuing state

那(nà)then

你(nǐ)you

在(zài)这儿(zhèr)here

坐(zuò)着(zhe)stay seated

Here 着 shows that the sitting continues.

教(Jiào)室(shì)的(de)门(mén)开(kāi)着(zhe)。

The classroom door is open.

开 + 着 open + continuing state

教(jiào)室(shì)的(de)门(mén)the classroom door

开(kāi)着(zhe)stands open

Here 着 shows the door is in an open state.

教(Jiào)室(shì)的(de)门(mén)没(méi)开(kāi)着(zhe)。

The classroom door is not open.

没 + 开 + 着 not + open + continuing state

教(jiào)室(shì)的(de)门(mén)the classroom door

没(méi)not

开(kāi)着(zhe)stand open

Here 没 with 着 denies that state.

Affirmative: verb + 着

坐着 — be sitting 开着 — stand open

Negative: 没（有）+ verb + 着

没开着 — is not open