on the air

The source and grammaticalization of the temporal adverb zhengzai (正在);

从明代小说中的“正”、“在”看时间副词“正在”的来源

In modern Mandarin, the three temporal adverbs zheng, zhengzai and zai are similar in meaning, but in usage they show both similarities and differences.

“正”、“正在”与“在”是现代汉语中意义相近、用法同异互参的三个时间副词,它们形成的时间以及虚化的途径不完全相同。

That “ordinary people as we are, we are most affectionate” is a household topos in Ming-Qing town novels, and it is a frequently used topos by critics as well.

“情之所锺 ,正在我辈”是明清世情小说中常见的一个套语 ,也是评论者经常使用的一句批评话语 ,这个套语确认了人生而有情的事实 ,体现了世情小说的重情观念 ,并肯定情之于人的重要