The phrase "什么时候" (shénme shíhòu) in Chinese means "when" in English. It is used to ask about or refer to the time at which something happens.

Usage in Sentences

1. Asking about time: "什么时候" is commonly used in questions to ask when an event will or did occur.

   • 例句: 你什么时候去上班？
   • 英文: When do you go to work?

2. Referring to a time: It can also be used in statements to refer to an unspecified time.

   • 例句: 我不知道他什么时候回来。
   • 英文: I don’t know when he will come back.

Sentence Structure

• Subject + 什么时候 + Verb: This structure is used when asking or referring to when an action takes place.

Examples

1. Asking a question about time:

   • 中文: 你们什么时候开始吃饭？
   • 英文: When do you start eating?

2. Referring to an unspecified time:

   • 中文: 我不记得我们什么时候见过面了。
   • 英文: I don’t remember when we met.

3. Future time reference:

   • 中文: 他告诉我什么时候出发。
   • 英文: He told me when we would leave.

The word "着" (zhe) in Chinese is a particle used after a verb to indicate a continuous or ongoing action or state. It can be compared to the use of "-ing" in English, though it doesn't always have an exact equivalent. "着" suggests that something is happening or in a state of being without interruption.

Sentence Structure

• Verb + 着 + Object: Used to show an ongoing action or state.
• Verb 1 + 着 + Verb 2: Indicates that two actions are happening at the same time, with the first being the continuous one.

Examples

1. Ongoing action:

   • 中文: 孩子们玩着游戏。
   • 英文: The children are playing games.

2. Describing a state:

   • 中文: 她站着等车。
   • 英文: She is standing, waiting for the bus.

3. Simultaneous actions:

   • 中文: 他笑着回答问题。
   • 英文: He answered the question while smiling.

The word "住" (zhù) in Chinese means "to live," "to stay," or "to reside." It is a verb used to indicate where someone lives or stays for a period of time.

Usage in Sentences

1. Indicating a place of residence: "住" is used to describe where someone lives or resides.

   • 例句: 我住在北京。
   • 英文: I live in Beijing.

2. Describing temporary stays: It can also be used to talk about temporarily staying somewhere, such as at a hotel or someone else's house.

   • 例句: 他住在酒店。
   • 英文: He is staying at a hotel.

3. Combined with other verbs: "住" can be combined with other verbs to mean holding, staying, or stopping an action in place (though this is a secondary meaning).

   • 例句: 抓住！
   • 英文: Hold on!

Sentence Structure

• Subject + 住 + Location: Used to describe where someone lives or stays.
• Verb + 住: Used in combination with other verbs to indicate staying or holding in place.

Examples

1. Describing residence:

   • 中文: 我们一家人住在城市里。
   • 英文: Our family lives in the city.

2. Talking about a temporary stay:

   • 中文: 你打算在朋友家住几天？
   • 英文: How many days do you plan to stay at your friend's house?

3. In a verb combination:

   • 中文: 他抓住了我的手。
   • 英文: He held onto my hand.