Meanings of 指着
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Podcast: 指着
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AI Study Notes for 指着
指示 (zhǐshì) - use 指着 for the physical action of pointing, while 指示 refers to the act of indicating or instructing more generally.
指着 is typically used in informal contexts when describing the action of pointing. A common mistake is to confuse it with 指 (zhǐ), which means 'to point' but does not include the continuous aspect that 着 (zhe) provides. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing zhe to avoid confusion.
This word is not at a specific HSK level but is useful for learners around HSK 3-4. Focus on practicing the action of pointing and use it in sentences that describe showing or indicating things, as this is a common conversational scenario.
Learners often forget to include 着 when using 指, leading to phrases like '我指他' instead of '我指着他,' which changes the meaning to an incomplete action. Always use 指着 to indicate ongoing action.
Pronunciation of 指着
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Component Characters
How to say point at in Chinese
“point at” in Chinese is指着
指着 (zhǐzhe) means 'to point at' or 'to indicate.' It is commonly used when someone is showing something to another person or directing attention towards an object or person. This verb emphasizes the action of pointing or indicating something specifically.
When to use 指着
指着 is typically used in informal contexts when describing the action of pointing. A common mistake is to confuse it with 指 (zhǐ), which means 'to point' but does not include the continuous aspect that 着 (zhe) provides. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing zhe to avoid confusion.
指着 or something close to it
指示 (zhǐshì) - use 指着 for the physical action of pointing, while 指示 refers to the act of indicating or instructing more generally.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget to include 着 when using 指, leading to phrases like '我指他' instead of '我指着他,' which changes the meaning to an incomplete action. Always use 指着 to indicate ongoing action.
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Cultural Notes for 指着
In Western cultures, pointing can sometimes be considered rude, whereas in Chinese culture, it is often seen as a practical way to communicate clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions about 指着
You can say, '他指着地图解释路线,' which means 'He pointed at the map to explain the route.'
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