再 zài always sits before the verb (right after an optative verb like 可以/要, if there is one), and it points to a repeat that hasn’t happened yet — so it usually doesn’t need 了了 le.
1Structure
再再 zài + V
Works in imperative sentences too. If there’s an optative verb (like 要要 yào or 會会 huì), 再 zài always goes right after it.
妳說錯了，請你再說一次。你说错了，请你再说一次。
You’re wrong. Please say it again. (An imperative sentence)
她今天不在家，你明天再來吧。她今天不在家，你明天再来吧。
She’s not home today, come back again tomorrow.
我絕對不會再去那家餐廳。我绝对不会再去那家餐厅。
I will never go back to that restaurant again.
再給你一次機會。再给你一次机会。
Give you another chance.
你要不要再試試？你要不要再试试？
Do you want to try again?
我再相信你就是笨蛋。我再相信你就是笨蛋。
I’ll be a fool to trust you again.
您撥的號碼是空號，請查明後再撥。您拨的号码是空号，请查明后再拨。
The number you dialed is not in service. Please verify it and try again.
再再 zài + V + 一下一下/一會兒一会儿/一些一些/點兒点儿
This means keep doing something a little longer, or do a bit more of it.
我們再聊一下。我们再聊一下。
Let’s chat a bit more.
你再多跟我說一些台灣的事。你再多跟我说一些台湾的事儿。
Tell me more about Taiwan.
你再等一會兒，菜馬上就好了。你再等一会儿，菜马上就好了。
Please wait a moment; the food will be ready soon.
2再見再见 zàijiàn — a Word You Already Know
FYI
再見再见 zàijiàn (“goodbye”) is literally 再 zài (“again”) + 見见 jiàn (“see”) — “see (you) again.”
In Real Life
Despite being everyone’s textbook first “goodbye,” native speakers don’t actually say 再見再见 zàijiàn to each other all that often — it’s a fairly heavy word, usually saved for long separations: someone marrying far away (遠嫁远嫁 yuǎnjià), or a foreign friend heading home for good (歸國归国 guīguó). For everyday goodbyes, people in Taiwan usually say 掰掰掰掰 bāibāi, and in mainland China, 回見回见 huíjiàn is common.
3Common Mistake
❌
吃再一個吃再一个
✅
再吃一個再吃一个
再 zài always comes before the verb, never after it.
4Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01I’ve decided to learn a new language again.
我決定再學一個新的語言。我决定再学一个新的语言。
👆 Tap to reveal
02I’d like to add a bit more sugar.
我想再加一點糖。我想再加一点儿糖。
👆 Tap to reveal
03Come find me again when you’re free.
你有空再來找我。你有空再来找我。
👆 Tap to reveal
04Could you say that one more time?
你可以再說一次嗎？你可以再说一次吗？
👆 Tap to reveal
05Let’s stay a bit longer.
我們再待一下吧。我们再待一下吧。
👆 Tap to reveal
06Once you finish this, do it again from the start.
你做完這個，再從頭做一次。你做完这个，再从头做一次。
👆 Tap to reveal
07Let’s watch it again.
我們再看一次吧。我们再看一次吧。
👆 Tap to reveal
08Can I ask one more question?
我可以再問一個問題嗎？我可以再问一个问题吗？
👆 Tap to reveal
