再 vs 又 (again)

• 拼音: zài / yòu
• 结构: Subject + 再 + Verb (future) / Subject + 又 + Verb (past/present)
• 汉字拆解: 再 = 一 (one) + 冉 (slowly), symbolizing a repeated occurrence; 又 = pictograph of a right hand

含义

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').

例句

1. 明天再来找我吧。
2. 他又忘了带钥匙。
3. 下次我们再一起吃饭。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: descriptive

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal