Three Chinese words usually translated as “again” in English — here is how to master the differences in timing and repetition.
In English, the word “again” covers almost every form of repetition. In Mandarin, however, repetition is split based on time and status: use 又 yòu for actions that have already happened again, 再 zài for actions that will happen in the future (unrealized), and 還还 hái for premeditated, routine, or progressive additions.
1又 yòu— Repetition that Has Already Happened
又 yòu indicates that an action or event has already repeated (often paired with 了 at the end of the sentence). It often expresses repeated events, repeated situations, or complaints.
妳你上次上次說錯说错，這次这次又又說錯说错了了。
You were wrong last time, and you’re wrong again this time.
今天今天又又下雨下雨了了。
It’s raining again today. (Expressing complaint)
他他昨天昨天遲到迟到，今天今天又又遲到迟到了了。
He was late yesterday, and he’s late again today.
這这部部電影电影我我已經已经看過看过兩次两次，今天今天又又看看了一次了一次。
I’ve already watched this movie twice, and watched it again today.
他他手機手机又又忘記忘记帶带了了。
He forgot to bring his cellphone again.
2再 zài— Repetition That Has Not Happened Yet (Future)
再 zài is used when the repeated action is yet to happen in the future. It is the only “again” word allowed in commands, requests, or imperative sentences.
請请你你再再說说一次一次。
Please say it again. (Imperative sentence)
你你明天明天再再來来吧吧。
Come back again tomorrow.
我我絕對绝对不會不会再再去去那家那家餐廳餐厅。
I will never go back to that restaurant again.
這題这题太難太难了了，我我需要需要再再想一想想一想。
This question is too difficult; I need to think about it again.
等等做好做好以後以后，我們我们再再討論讨论。
Let’s discuss it again after we finish making it.
3還还 hái— Premeditated, Scheduled, or Progressive Addition
還还 hái also indicates a future repetition, but it typically implies a prearranged, scheduled, or routine continuation, or adding more of the same action.
📌 Important Grammar Rule for 還还
Unlike 再 zài and 又 yòu, 還还 hái cannot directly connect with a verb. It needs to be structured as 還还 + 要 yào / 會会 huì / 想 xiǎng + V.
我們我们下週下周還还要要開會开会。
We have to have a meeting again next week. (還还 + 要 + V)
我我還还想想吃吃一碗一碗麵。
I would like to have another bowl of noodles. (還还 + 想 + V)
這本書这本书我我還还沒没看完看完。
I haven’t finished reading this book yet.
除了除了中文中文，他他還还會会說说法文法文。
Besides Chinese, he can also speak French.
4How about 重 chóng？— To Repeat or Start Over
When you want to emphasize repeating an entire process or starting something all over again from the beginning (re-do / start afresh), you can use 重 chóng or compounds like 重新 (chóngxīn).
這这題题寫錯写错了了，請请你你重重寫写一遍一遍。
You wrote this question wrong; please rewrite it all over again.
