2 · Adverbs that carry the grammar
Three kinds of again: hái, zài and yòu
still, once more, and again
Yòu is again for what has happened, zài is again for what has not, and hái is still or as well.
English has one word, “again”, and does not care whether the repetition lies in the past or the future. Chinese does. 又 is “again” for a repetition that has already happened, so it usually comes with 了: 他又迟到了, “he was late again”. 再 is “again” for a repetition that has not happened yet — a plan, a wish or a request: 请再说一遍, “please say it again”.
还 is the third word that English speakers lump in here. Its core meaning is “still”: 他还在睡觉, “he is still asleep”. From “still” it moves to “in addition, as well”: 我还要一杯茶, “I’d like another cup of tea”, literally “I still want one cup of tea”.
All three stand before the verb, but they differ next to a modal verb. 还 and 又 come before the modal (还想, 又要); 再 comes after it, right in front of the main verb: 我想再看一遍, “I want to watch it again”.
再 has one more job that has nothing to do with repetition: “and then, only then”. 吃了饭再走 is “eat first and then go”. Here, too, 再 points to something that has not happened yet — which is the thread that runs through every use of it.
The form
| again, already happened | 他又迟到了。 |
| again, not yet happened | 请再说一遍。 |
| still | 他还在睡觉。 |
| in addition | 我还要一杯茶。 |
| again, after a modal verb | 我想再去一次。 |
| and then | 吃了饭再走。 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is aboutThe word that calls for it
又 is for a repetition that has already happened, usually with 了.
昨天下雨，今天又下雨了。It rained yesterday, and today it is raining again.
再 is for a repetition still to come, and in requests.
你明天再来吧。Come again tomorrow.
还 means “still”, or adds something more.
十点了，他还没起床。It’s ten o’clock and he still hasn’t got up.
再 goes after a modal verb; 还 and 又 go before it.
我想再吃一碗。I’d like another bowl.
再 also means “and then”, for the second of two steps.
我们先买票，再去吃饭。Let’s buy the tickets first and then go and eat.
A closer look
Where the three overlap
Speakers do use 还 for a future “again”, especially with a modal verb: 我明年还想来, “I want to come again next year”. The colour is “still, once more as before” — the wish continues. 再 in the same sentence (我明年想再来) stresses the repetition itself. Both are correct; 又 would not be.
又 also has a use that is not “again” at all: 又…又…, “both … and …” (又便宜又好吃, “cheap and tasty”). And in an argument 又 adds weight to a negative: 我又不是你妈妈, “I’m not your mother, you know”.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the repetition lies in the future but is certain or regular — a date, a season, a weekday
又 is used, with 了 at the end.
明天又是星期一了。Tomorrow is Monday again.
Something that comes round by the calendar is treated as already settled, as good as having happened; the speaker sighs at it rather than plans it.
How to spot it
- 又…了
- 再
- 还
- 一遍
- 一次
Example sentences
你怎么又忘了？How come you’ve forgotten again?
对不起，请您再说一遍。Sorry — could you say that again, please?
外面还在下雪。It’s still snowing outside.
我买了面包，还买了牛奶。I bought bread, and I bought milk as well.
这个电影很好看，我想再看一遍。This film is really good; I want to see it again.
他上个星期来过，今天又来了。He came last week, and today he has come again.
8 more example sentences
我的手机又没电了。My phone has run out of battery again.
你先休息一下，一会儿再做。Have a rest first, and do it in a little while.
你还记得我吗？Do you still remember me?
他会说英语，还会说法语。He speaks English, and he speaks French as well.
别走，再坐一会儿吧。Don’t go yet — stay a little longer.
她今天又穿了那条红裙子。She is wearing that red skirt again today.
这么晚了，商店还开着。It’s this late and the shop is still open.
我们下个月再见面吧。Let’s meet again next month.
Worth knowing (1)
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No longer: bú zài
不再, “not again”, is how Chinese says “no longer, not any more” about a decision or a change: 他不再抽烟了. The reverse order, 再也不, is stronger still: “never ever again”.
我再也不相信他了。I will never believe him again.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
A request is about the future: the second time has not happened yet. 又 looks back at a repetition that already exists, so it cannot ask for one. Whenever “again” means “one more time, from now on”, the word is 再.
Yòu looks back at a repetition, zài looks forward to one, and hái means still or as well.
Your turn
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