再 vs 又 (again)

• Pinyin: zài / yòu
• Formation: Subject + 再 + Verb (future) / Subject + 又 + Verb (past/present)
• Hanzi breakdown: 再 = 一 (one) + 冉 (slowly), symbolizing a repeated occurrence; 又 = pictograph of a right hand

Meaning

Both 再 (zài) and 又 (yòu) mean 'again,' but they refer to different time frames. 再 is used for actions that will happen again in the future, while 又 is used for actions that have already happened again in the past or are happening again now.

This distinction is one of the trickiest for Chinese learners. 再 looks forward — it expresses intention, suggestion, or future repetition (明天再来 'come again tomorrow'). 又 looks backward — it reports that something happened again (他又迟到了 'he was late again'). With negation, 再也不 expresses 'never again' (a strong future resolution), while 又没 expresses frustration about something repeatedly not happening. 再 can also mean 'then' or 'after that' in sequential actions (先吃饭再走 'eat first, then go'). 又 can also connect two qualities to mean 'both...and...' (又便宜又好吃 'both cheap and delicious').

Examples

1. 明天再来找我吧。 Come find me again tomorrow.
2. 他又忘了带钥匙。 He forgot to bring his keys again.
3. 下次我们再一起吃饭。 Let's eat together again next time.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这部电影太好看了，我想再看一遍。
• 他昨天又加班到很晚。
• 你先休息一下，等一会儿再做。
• 又到周末了，时间过得真快。

Don't Say

• 他昨天再迟到了。(再 is for future or unrealized actions — for reporting a past repeated action, use 又: 他昨天又迟到了) → 他昨天又迟到了。
• 明天又来找我吧。(又 is for past or current repetition — for requesting a future action, use 再: 明天再来找我吧) → 明天再来找我吧。

Origin & History

再 originally depicted a second occurrence, with its ancient form showing two marks. 又 was the pictograph of a right hand, later extended to mean 'again' or 'also.' Their temporal distinction — 再 for future, 又 for past — became standardized in modern Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal