Chinese grammar - Using 着 (zhe) for simultaneous actions ('while')

Using 着 (zhe) for simultaneous actions ('while')

In addition to indicating ongoing or continuous actions, the Chinese particle 着 (zhe) can be used with two verbs acting simultaneously.

It emphasizes ongoing simultaneous actions - that is one action is happening concurrently with another.

着 should appear immmediately after the first verb - even if the verb has a direct object.

Note that in meaning it is similar to the pattern 一边...一边... (yìbiān...yìbiān...).

Examples:
	他笑着说话。 tā xiào zhe shuōhuà. He is smiling while talking.
	她听着音乐看书。 tā tīng zhe yīnyuè kànshū. She is listening to music while reading. Note that 着 comes between the verb 听 and its object 音乐
	她听着音乐看一本书。 tā tīng zhe yīnyuè kàn yì běn shū. She is listening to music while reading a book.
	她看着一本书听音乐。 tā kàn zhe yì běn shū tīng yīnyuè. She is reading a book while listening to music. Note that 着 comes between the verb 看 and its object 一本书
	老师为什么站着讲课？ lǎoshī wèishéme zhàn zhe jiǎngkè? Why is the teacher standing while lecturing? 站 (zhàn) means 'to stand'
	我们走着聊天。 wǒmen zǒu zhe liáotiān. We are walking while chatting.
	他们开着车听音乐。 tāmen kāi zhe chē tīng yīnyuè. They are driving while listening to music.
	她读着书吃零食。 tā dú zhe shū chī língshí. She is reading a book while eating snacks.
	她说着话做饭。 tā shuō zhe huà zuòfàn. She is talking while cooking.
	他玩着手机等人。 tā wán zhe shǒujī děng rén. He is playing with his phone while waiting for someone.
	我们吃着晚餐看电影。 wǒmen chī zhe wǎncān kàn diànyǐng. We are eating dinner while watching a movie.
	我们吃着冰淇淋看电影。 wǒmen chī zhe bīngqílín kàn diànyǐng. We are eating ice cream while watching a movie.