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Comparing 再 ("zai4") and 又 ("you4")

再 zài

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

Subj. + 再 + Verb Subj. + 再 + Verb + Obj. Subj. + (先) + Action 1 + 再 + Action 2 Subj. + 又 + Verb + 了 Subj. + 又 + (Aux. +) Verb + Obj.

Translations

  • again

Definition

再和又都表示动作的重复，但再通常用于未发生的重复或将来时，而又用于已发生的重复或过去时。

Both 再 and 又 indicate repetition of an action, but 再 is used for unrealized repetition or future tense, while 又 is used for realized repetition or past tense.

Usage

再用于表示主观上打算或计划重复某个动作，常与将来时连用；又用于表示客观上已经发生的重复，常与过去时连用。

再 is used to express an intention or plan to repeat an action, often in future tense; 又 is used to express a repetition that has already occurred, often in past tense.

Examples

  • 1 我明天再去一次。 (I will go again tomorrow.)
  • 2 他又迟到了。 (He was late again.)
  • 3 请再说一遍。 (Please say it again.)
  • 4 昨天他又忘了带钥匙。 (Yesterday he forgot his keys again.)
  • 5 我们以后再讨论这个问题。 (We will discuss this issue again later.)
  • 6 她又买了同样的裙子。 (She bought the same dress again.)

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