又 vs 再(yòu vs zài)
Again (Past vs Future)
Structure Pattern
Explanation
Both 又 (yòu) and 再 (zài) translate to "again," but they are used in different timeframes.
1. 又 (yòu) - "Again" in the Past
- Indicates that an action has already happened again. Because it's a past occurrence, it is often paired with 了.
- e.g., 他昨天没来，今天又没来。(He didn't come yesterday, and he didn't come again today.)
2. 再 (zài) - "Again" in the Future
- Indicates that an action will happen again in the future. It is a planned, anticipated, or requested recurrence.
- e.g., 我明天再来。(I will come again tomorrow.)
- e.g., 请再说一遍。(Please say it again.)
Note: When paired with modal verbs (想, 要, 能, 可以), both can be used for the future, but they convey different feelings. 想再看 (want to watch again - preference). 又要下雨了 (It's going to rain again - observation, often negative).
Example Sentences
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Nǐ zěnme yòu chídào le?
How come you are late again? (Already happened)
Méiguānxi, wǒmen xià cì zài shì.
It's okay, we'll try again next time. (Future)
Tā zuótiān mǎi le yì běn shū, jīntiān yòu mǎi le yì běn.
He bought a book yesterday, and he bought one again today.
Tài hǎochī le, wǒ xiǎng zài chī yí gè.
It's so delicious, I want to eat another one.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我明天又来。
Correct Usage
我明天再来。
Since tomorrow is the future, you must use 再 for planned repetition, not 又.
Common Mistake
请又说一遍。
Correct Usage
请再说一遍。
Requests for someone to repeat an action are future-oriented, so they require 再.
Master 又 vs 再
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