又 + Verb + 了 (again in the past)

• Pinyin: yòu
• Formation: (Subj. +) 又 + Verb + 了
• Hanzi breakdown: 又 = pictograph of a right hand, extended to mean 'again'

Meaning

The adverb 又 is used with 了 to express that something happened again in the past. It indicates a repeated action or event that has already been completed, similar to saying 'did something again' in English.

Learners often confuse 又 and 再 since both translate to 'again' in English. The critical difference is that 又 refers to something that already happened again (past), while 再 refers to something that will happen again (future). 又 is typically paired with 了 to emphasize the completed nature of the repeated action. Unlike 再, 又 cannot be used for actions that haven't occurred yet. In spoken Chinese, 又 can also express mild annoyance or surprise at a recurring situation.

Examples

1. 他昨天又迟到了。 He was late again yesterday.
2. 我又忘了带钥匙。 I forgot to bring my keys again.
3. 妹妹又吃了两块蛋糕。 My younger sister ate two more pieces of cake again.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 她又感冒了，上个月也生过病。
• 弟弟又把杯子打碎了，妈妈很生气。
• 今天又下雨了，出门记得带伞。

Don't Say

• 明天我又去一次。(又 refers to past completed actions — for planned future repetitions, use 再 instead) → 明天我再去一次。
• 他再迟到了。(再 is for future actions — when reporting that something already happened again, use 又, not 再) → 他又迟到了。

Origin & History

又 originated as a pictograph of a right hand in oracle bone script. Its meaning evolved from 'right hand' to 'again' through the concept of repeated gestures. The pairing with 了 to mark past repetitions is a standard Mandarin construction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal