Breakdown of jiàoliàn zhèngzài jiāo zhège dòngzuò.
正在zhèngzài
progressive marker
教jiāo
to teach
这个zhège
this
教练jiàoliàn
Questions & Answers about jiàoliàn zhèngzài jiāo zhège dòngzuò.
Why is 正在 used here?
正在 marks an action that is in progress right now. In this sentence, it shows that the coach is currently teaching the move.
So:
- 教练教这个动作。 = The coach teaches / is teaching this move.
- 教练正在教这个动作。 = The coach is teaching this move right now.
It is similar to the English idea of be doing.
Can I use 在 instead of 正在?
Yes. 在 and 正在 can both mark an ongoing action.
- 教练在教这个动作。
- 教练正在教这个动作。
Both are natural. The difference is mainly one of emphasis:
- 在 = more neutral
- 正在 = a bit more explicit or emphatic about right now / in the middle of
You may also hear:
- 教练正在教这个动作呢。
The 呢 can make the ongoing sense sound even more immediate or conversational.
Why is 教 pronounced jiāo here, not jiào?