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当着 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
当着dāngzhein front ofHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #11395, Very Hard
当着dāngzhein the presence ofHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #11395, Very Hard
dāngzhe(dang1zhe5)dang zhe T1
  1. 1in front of
  2. 2in the presence of
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March 24, 2026

当着(當著)dāngzhe(dang1zhe5)

The term '当着' means 'in front of' or 'in the presence of.' It is commonly used to indicate that something is happening openly or in view of others, often implying a sense of accountability or witness. For example, you might say something '当着大家' to emphasize that it was said in front of everyone.

Strokes17Frequency#11395DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of being accountable in front of others is significant, particularly in social and family settings. Using '当着' can imply a deeper level of respect and acknowledgment of the audience's presence.

Memory tip

Imagine standing in front of a crowd, feeling the weight of their eyes on you. '当' (dāng) looks like a person standing tall, while '着' (zhe) can remind you of the action of being 'there' or 'present.' Together, they evoke the image of being in a situation where you know people are watching you.

Meanings of 当着

dāngzhe(dang1zhe5)
1in front of
2in the presence of
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About 当着

当着Simplified
當著Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 当着

Usage Notes

'当着' is often used in contexts where someone's actions or words are being held accountable in front of others. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar phrases like '在…前' (zài...qián), which means 'before' rather than 'in front of.' Remember to use it in informal and formal settings alike.

HSK Study Tips

Although '当着' is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with concepts of presence and location that are common at HSK 3. Focus on how it modifies actions to indicate they are being done publicly.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '当着' with '在...前,' leading to incorrect sentences like '我在老师前说了' (I said it in front of the teacher) instead of '我当着老师说了.' The correct usage emphasizes the presence of the listener.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 当着

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Component characters

当dāngto act as
HSK 46 strokes⺌
View full entry
着zheaspect particle indicating action in progress
HSK 211 strokes目
View full entry

How to say in front of in Chinese

“in front of” in Chinese is当着dāngzhe

The term '当着' means 'in front of' or 'in the presence of.' It is commonly used to indicate that something is happening openly or in view of others, often implying a sense of accountability or witness. For example, you might say something '当着大家' to emphasize that it was said in front of everyone.

When to use 当着

'当着' is often used in contexts where someone's actions or words are being held accountable in front of others. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar phrases like '在…前' (zài...qián), which means 'before' rather than 'in front of.' Remember to use it in informal and formal settings alike.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '当着' with '在...前,' leading to incorrect sentences like '我在老师前说了' (I said it in front of the teacher) instead of '我当着老师说了.' The correct usage emphasizes the presence of the listener.

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当
着

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Frequently asked questions about 当着

'当着' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone and situation.

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