Learn Hardcore Chinese: tā zhèngzài xiě wǒ de míngzi.

正在 marks an action in progress right now—“in the middle of doing.” If you drop it (just 他写我的名字), Chinese no longer explicitly says it’s happening right now; context could make it habitual, planned, or happening. With 正在, it’s clearly ongoing at this moment.

Can I use 在 or 正 instead of 正在? Are they different?

Yes:

在: 他在写我的名字 (common, slightly less emphatic than 正在).
正: 他正写我的名字 (a bit more concise/literary). All three are correct; 正在 feels most explicit; 在 is the everyday default; 正 is concise and a bit formal.

Why is 的 used between 我 and 名字? Can I say 我名字?

的 links a modifier to a noun; here it marks possession: 我 + 的 + 名字 = “my name.” Saying 我名字 is not natural in standard Mandarin. You can drop 的 with close kinship terms (e.g., 我妈妈), but not with 名字.

Why not use 着 to mean “is writing,” as in 他写着我的名字?

着 marks a continuous state, not an action in progress. 写着 usually means “is written” (a result that’s visible), e.g., 墙上写着我的名字 = “My name is written on the wall.” For “is writing,” use 在/正在/正 (often with sentence-final 呢).

How do I negate this naturally?

Not currently in the process: 他没(有)在写我的名字 / 他现在不在写我的名字 is uncommon; prefer 没(有)在.
Did not write (completed action negated): 他没写我的名字.
Not the case (correcting someone): 他不是在写我的名字，他是在写你的。
Note: 不在 usually means “not present (somewhere),” so avoid it for progressive negation.

How do I say related sentences like “He wrote my name,” “He has written my name before,” or “He is writing my name down/on paper”?

He wrote my name: 他写了我的名字。
He has written my name before (experience): 他写过我的名字。
He is writing it down (commit to paper): 他正在把我的名字写下(来)。
He is writing my name on the paper: 他正在把我的名字写在纸上。 / 他正在纸上写我的名字。
He wrote it onto the form: 他把我的名字写到表格上。

Where does the location phrase go—before or after the verb?

Two common patterns:

Place before verb: 他在纸上写我的名字。
把-structure: 他把我的名字写在纸上。 Avoid “verb + object + 在 + place” here (e.g., ✗写我的名字在纸上) in standard style.

Is 名字 the same as 姓名? What about 名 and 姓?

名字: everyday “name.”
姓名: formal “full name” (family name + given name), used on forms.
姓: family name/surname.
名: given name (in some contexts) or “name” in compounds.
For casual use, 名字 is safest.

How do I say “sign my name” vs “write my name”?

“Sign (one’s) name”: 签名 or 签字 (sign a document).
“Sign my name” (literally): 签我的名字—this can imply signing on my behalf (even forging), so be careful. If you just mean “sign,” use 签名/签字.

How do I say “she/it” here? Are they pronounced differently from 他?

Written:

他 (he), 她 (she), 它 (it).
Spoken: all pronounced tā (first tone). Context tells you which one is meant in speech.

Any tone or pronunciation tips for this sentence?

Tones: 他 tā(1) 正 zhèng(4) 在 zài(4) 写 xiě(3) 我 wǒ(3) 的 de (neutral) 名 míng(2) 字 zi (neutral).
Third-tone sandhi: 写 (3) + 我 (3) → say it as if xié (rising) + wǒ (low/half-3): “xié wǒ.”
的 and the 子 in 名字 are neutral tone in this phrase.

Why is there no word for “is” like English “He is writing …”?

Chinese doesn’t use a copula before verbs. 是 links nouns/pronouns (e.g., 他是老师). Progressives are marked by adverbs like 在/正在/正 before the verb (and sometimes 呢 at the end): 他正在写…(呢).

Can I drop the subject or the object in conversation?

Yes, if context is clear.

Drop subject: 正在写我的名字呢。
Drop object: 他在写呢。
Chinese often omits given information in discourse.

Do Chinese sentences use spaces like this?

No spaces between characters in normal Chinese writing. The spacing and braces are for teaching/pinyin. Standard writing is: 他正在写我的名字。

How do I turn it into a yes/no question?

Add 吗: 他在/正在写我的名字吗？
Use 是不是: 他是不是在写我的名字？ (seeking confirmation)
With 呢 you state ongoing action rather than ask: 他在写我的名字呢。 (not a yes/no question)

Why is there no measure word here? How would I say “He wrote my name three times”?

No classifier is needed because you’re not counting nouns; you’re describing an action. To count occurrences:

他把我的名字写了三遍/三次。 (遍 emphasizes the whole process; 次 is a general “times.”)

Can I topicalize “my name” for emphasis?

Yes: 我的名字，他正在写。 This topic–comment structure is natural in speech/writing for emphasis or contrast.

Do I need 给 if I mean “He is writing my name for me”?

“He is writing a name for me” (not necessarily my name): 他在给我写名字。
“He is writing my name for me” (on my behalf): 他在替我写我的名字 or 他在帮我写名字.
Using 给我写我的名字 is possible but can sound clunky; 替/帮 is clearer for “on my behalf.”