again in chinese

“Again” in Chinese Grammar

Posted on by tiffany

Grammar Point:
Both 再 zài and 又 yòu indicate the repetition of the same action and can be translated to “again” in English. However, 又 yòu is used when the repeated action has happened again and there is often a 了 le at the end of the sentence. In contrast, 再 zài is used when the repeated action has not happened yet.

Structure

S + 再 zài + V

It can be used in an imperative sentence. When there is an optative verb, always put 再 zài after it. Remember, it is used to indicate something that has happened already and may happen again in the future.

妳nǎi说shuō错cuò了le， 请qǐng你nǐ再zài说shuō一次yícì
You’re wrong. Please say it again.
(An imperative sentence)

她tā今天jīntiān不bú在家zàijiā， 你nǐ明天míngtiān再zài来lái吧ba
She is not at home today, come back again tomorrow.

我wǒ绝对juéduì不会búhuì再zài去qù那nà家jiā餐厅cāntīng
I will never go back to that restaurant again.

再zài给gěi你nǐ一次yícì机会jīhuì
Give you another chance.

你nǐ要不要yàobúyào再zài试试shìshì？
Do you want to try again?

我wǒ再zài相信xiāngxìn你nǐ就是jiùshì笨蛋bèndàn
I’ll be a fool to trust you again.

您nín拨bō的de号码hàomǎ是shì空号kōnghào， 请qǐng查明chámíng后hòu再zài拨bō
The number you dialed is not in service. Please verify it and try again.

S + 再 zài + V + 一下/一会儿/一些/点儿

It  means keep doing something a little longer or more.

我们wǒmen再zài聊liáo一下yíxià
Let’s chat some more.

你nǐ再zài多duō跟gēn我wǒ说shuō一些yìxiē台湾Táiwān的de事儿shìr
Tell me more about Taiwan.

可以kěyǐ帮bāng我wǒ再zài加jiā一点儿yìdiǎnr茶chá吗ma？
Could you add a bit more tea for me?

你nǐ再zài等děng一会儿yìhuǐr， 菜cài马上mǎshàng就jiù好hǎo了le
Please wait a moment; the food will be ready soon.

S + 又 yòu + V

又 yòu is used to indicate something that has happened before and is happening again now or in the past. It is often used with a 了 le at the end of the sentence. However, 又 yòu can also be used in a hypothetical action. If there is an optative verb (such as 想 xiǎng, 要 yào, 希望 xīwàng), always put 又 yòu before it.

妳nǐ上次shàngcì说shuō错cuò， 这次zhècì又yòu说shuō错cuò了le
You were wrong last time, and you’re wrong again this time.

妳nǐ上次shàngcì说shuō错cuò， 这次zhècì又yòu说shuō错cuò了le
I told you she wasn’t home today, so why did you come again?

如果rúguǒ我wǒ又yòu想xiǎng去qù那家nàjiā餐厅cāntīng， 那nà我wǒ一定yídìng是shì醉zuì了le
If I want to go to that restaurant again, then I must be drunk.
(hypothesis action)

你nǐ不要búyào又yòu想xiǎng骗piàn我wǒ
Don’t try to deceive me again.

你nǐ这次zhècì又yòu没méi带dài钱包qiánbāo吗ma？
Did you forget your wallet this time too?

这zhè是shì他tā第dì五wǔ次cì喝hē金门jīnmén高粱酒gāoliángjiǔ， 他tā又yòu喝醉hēzuì了le
This is the fifth time he’s had Kinmen Kaoliang liquor, and he’s drunk again.

FYI
Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, originating from Taiwan’s Kinmen island, is a revered spirit renowned for its robust essence. Created primarily from sorghum using time-honored techniques, it boasts a potent alcohol content, typically ranging from 38% to 63% ABV. Its distinctive flavor melds earthy and peppery undertones with a hint of sweetness, culminating in a memorable tasting adventure. More than just a libation, this elixir embodies Kinmen’s rich cultural legacy and unwavering spirit. It holds a pivotal role in Taiwanese traditions, savored neat, over ice, or as a cocktail base. Certain bottles, especially aged and limited editions, have evolved into coveted collector’s items due to their striking packaging. Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor stands as a genuine Taiwanese treasure, beckoning exploration of its daring taste and cultural origins.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ I’ve decided to learn a new language again.

我wǒ决定juédìng再zài学xué一个yíge新的xīnde语言yǔyán

✔️ I gave up learning languages again because of my busy work schedule.

因为yīnwèi工作gōngzuò很hěn多duō， 我wǒ又yòu放弃fàngqì学xué语言yǔyán了le

✔️ I’d like to add a bit more sugar.

我wǒ想xiǎng再zài加jiā一点儿yìdiǎnr糖táng

Do you like it? 🙂