Since You're Just Doing X Anyway: X着也是X着
X着也是X着
Express that since you are just idly doing X anyway, you might as well do something more useful
Repeat a verb with 着 (indicating an ongoing, idle state) on both sides of 也是. The pattern means "since you are just doing X anyway (with nothing better to do), you might as well..." It almost always leads to a suggestion introduced by 不如 or 还不如.
X is typically a verb describing an idle or unproductive state: 闲 (be idle), 放 (leave sitting), 等 (wait), 站 (stand around). The pattern often begins with 反正 (anyway) for extra emphasis.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Since You're Just Doing X Anyway: X着也是X着 (X着也是X着)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the X着也是X着 pattern
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Understanding X着也是X着
This is one of the most practical colloquial patterns in Chinese. It captures that moment when you realize you are doing nothing useful and decide to make the time count. The logic is simple: "I am just sitting here idle anyway, so I might as well do something productive." The verb X must describe a state of inactivity or waste — 闲着 (being idle), 放着 (leaving something unused), 等着 (waiting around). The 着 after each verb emphasizes the ongoing, continuous nature of this idle state. Native speakers almost always follow this pattern with a suggestion using 不如 (might as well) or a similar phrase. You will hear 反正闲着也是闲着 constantly in daily life — it is the go-to way to propose doing something when everyone is bored or has free time. Mastering this pattern will make you sound remarkably natural in casual conversation.
Key Points
- X must be a verb describing an idle or unproductive state: 闲, 等, 放, 站, 坐, etc.
- 着 indicates the ongoing, continuous nature of the idle activity.
- The pattern almost always leads to a suggestion with 不如 or 还不如.
- 反正 (anyway) often precedes the pattern for emphasis.
- The underlying logic: "since nothing is being accomplished, why not do something useful?"
- This is strictly colloquial — use it in conversation, not formal writing.
Chinese culture values industriousness and making good use of time. This pattern reflects that ethic — even the suggestion to relax comes framed as "since we are being idle, we might as well rest properly." It shows a cultural discomfort with pure idleness.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
明天我去超市逛逛，反正闲着也是闲着。
I will go browse the supermarket tomorrow — I am just sitting around idle anyway.
Most common usage — being idle
那些衣服她不喜欢了，放着也是放着，不如送人吧。
She does not like those clothes anymore — they are just sitting there, might as well give them away.
Unused items — suggesting a better use
反正等着也是等着，我们不如休息休息吧。
Since we are just waiting around anyway, we might as well take a rest.
这辆自行车你不骑了，放着也是放着，借我用用吧。
You do not ride this bicycle anymore — it is just sitting here, let me borrow it.
反正站着也是站着，咱们聊聊天吧。
Since we are just standing around anyway, let us chat.
这本书你看完了吧？放着也是放着，不如借给我。
You have finished this book, right? It is just sitting there — might as well lend it to me.
反正坐着也是坐着，帮我切点儿菜吧。
Since you are just sitting there anyway, help me chop some vegetables.
Common Mistakes
The 着 is essential — it marks the ongoing idle state. Without 着, the pattern is incomplete and unnatural.
X must be an idle or unproductive verb like 闲, 放, 等. Productive verbs like 学习 do not fit the pattern because the logic requires an idle state as the starting point.
This pattern almost always requires a follow-up suggestion. Without one, the sentence feels incomplete — the listener is left waiting for the point.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Start with the most common version: 反正闲着也是闲着 — practice using it to suggest activities.
放着也是放着 is your go-to for unused objects: clothes, books, bikes, electronics.
Always follow up with a suggestion: 不如……, ……吧, 还不如……, etc.
This pattern is a polite way to ask to borrow something: "It is just sitting there unused, so..."
Homework
Write five mini-dialogues where one person uses X着也是X着 to suggest an activity or ask to borrow something. Use at least three different verbs for X (闲, 放, 等, 站, 坐).