Existential sentences (2)
In Chinese “着” (zhe) after a verb can form a sentence saying that someone or something is present in a place.
In such sentences:
what comes before the verb names the place;
what comes after it names an indefinite person or thing.
Basic structure
Place + verb + 着 + person / thing
In a certain place, someone or something is there in a given state.
Examples
你家楼下站着一个人
你家楼下nǐ jiā lóuxiàdownstairs at your place
站着zhànzheis standing
一个人yí ge réna person
The sentence names the place first, then the person who is there.
爸爸手里拿着一杯咖啡
爸爸手里bàba shǒulǐin Dad's hand
拿着názheis holding
一杯咖啡yì bēi kāfēia cup of coffee
Here 一杯咖啡 is the thing present in that place.
那间教室里坐着不少学生
那间教室里nà jiān jiàoshì lǐin that classroom
坐着zuòzheis sitting
不少学生bù shǎo xuéshengquite a few students
Quick rule
Place + verb + 着 + person / thing
Meaning: someone or something is present in a place, in a given state.
楼下站着一个人 — someone is standing downstairs
手里拿着一杯咖啡 — is holding a cup of coffee
教室里坐着不少学生 — quite a few students are sitting in the classroom