Both mean “repeatedly” or “again and again,” but they carry a different undertone. 一再一再 yízài stresses persistence — someone keeps doing something no matter what. 再三再三 zàisān leans toward advising or cautioning — someone keeps saying something because they want it to sink in.
一再一再 yízài and 再三再三 zàisān share the same basic meaning, but they show up with different kinds of verbs — 一再一再 yízài with almost any repeated action, 再三再三 zàisān mostly with verbs about telling, warning, or reminding someone of something.
1 Structure
一再一再 yízài + Verb Phrase
Emphasizes doing something repeatedly or continuously, often to stress persistence or insistence. It’s frequently used in formal or written contexts to describe a repeated action or request.
我一再嘗試解釋這個問題，但還是沒有人理解。我一再尝试解释这个问题，但还是没有人理解。
I have repeatedly tried to explain this issue, but no one understands.
我一再提醒自己每天都要喝足夠的水。我一再提醒自己每天都要喝足够的水。
I remind myself again and again to drink enough water every day.
每年健檢，醫生都一再告訴我要注意健康。每年健检，医生都一再告诉我要注意健康。
During the annual health checkup, the doctor repeatedly advises me to pay attention to my health.
他一再向我借錢，我感到很困擾。他一再向我借钱，我感到很困扰。
He keeps borrowing money from me, and it’s becoming a concern.
我一再拒絕他的告白，他還是不放棄。我一再拒绝他的告白，他还是不放弃。
I repeatedly reject him, but he still doesn’t give up.
再三再三 zàisān + Verb Phrase
Also means “repeatedly” or “again and again,” but it’s commonly used in a more casual or spoken context. This expression usually implies advising or cautioning someone, after giving them repeated reminders.
媽媽再三提醒我別忘了帶雨傘，因為今天會下雨。妈妈再三提醒我别忘了带雨伞，因为今天会下雨。
Mom repeatedly reminds me not to forget to bring an umbrella because it will rain today.
出國旅行前，奶奶再三交代我要小心照顧自己。出国旅行前，奶奶再三交代我要小心照顾自己。
Before heading abroad, my grandma kept reminding me to take good care of myself.
我再三跟他強調這是最後一次機會了。我再三跟他强调这是最后一次机会了。
I emphasize to him again and again that this is the last chance.
他再三警告我在台灣不要亂丟垃圾。他再三警告我在台湾不要乱丢垃圾。
He keeps reminding me not to litter in Taiwan.
老師再三叮嚀學生在考試前要好好複習。老师再三叮咛学生在考试前要好好复习。
The teacher keeps reminding students to study thoroughly before the exam.
2 Common Mistakes
Most errors come from misplacing the adverb, or reaching for 再三再三 zàisān with a verb that has no advisory or cautionary flavor.
❌
他向我借錢一再，我感到很困擾。他向我借钱一再，我感到很困扰。
✅
他一再向我借錢，我感到很困擾。他一再向我借钱，我感到很困扰。
一再一再 yízài and 再三再三 zàisān are adverbs, so they sit directly in front of the verb phrase they modify — right after the subject — never tacked on at the end of the clause.
❌
他再三摔倒，還是不放棄學騎腳踏車。他再三摔倒，还是不放弃学骑脚踏车。
✅
他一再摔倒，還是不放棄學騎腳踏車。他一再摔倒，还是不放弃学骑脚踏车。
再三再三 zàisān carries a lingering “someone urging or cautioning” flavor, so it pairs naturally with communicative verbs like 提醒提醒 tíxǐng, 叮嚀叮咛 dīngníng, or 警告警告 jǐnggào. For a plain physical repetition like falling down, 一再一再 yízài is the more natural, neutral choice.
3一再一再 vs 再三再三
Same core meaning, different company they keep.
一再一再 yízài
再三再三 zàisān
Tone
Formal, written — stresses persistence or insistence
Casual, spoken — implies advising or cautioning
Pairs with
Almost any repeated action — 嘗試尝试 chángshì, 拒絕拒绝 jùjué, 借錢借钱 jièqián
With advisory verbs — 提醒提醒 tíxǐng, 叮嚀叮咛 dīngníng, 警告警告 jǐnggào — 再三再三 zàisān is the natural pick, but 一再一再 yízài still works, just a touch more formal.
With plain repeated actions — 嘗試尝试 chángshì, 拒絕拒绝 jùjué, 道歉道歉 dàoqiàn — 一再一再 yízài is the safer, more neutral choice.
Outside of those two leanings, they overlap enough that native speakers often pick whichever one sounds better in the moment.
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01He repeatedly refused to admit his mistake.
他一再拒絕承認自己的錯誤。他一再拒绝承认自己的错误。
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02The company has repeatedly delayed the product launch.
這家公司一再延後產品上市的時間。这家公司一再延后产品上市的时间。
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03My mother kept telling me not to talk to strangers.
媽媽再三叮嚀我不要跟陌生人說話。妈妈再三叮咛我不要跟陌生人说话。
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04The doctor repeatedly warned him to quit smoking.
醫生再三警告他要戒菸。医生再三警告他要戒烟。
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05I’ve repeatedly asked him to be more careful, but he never listens.
我一再要求他小心一點，但他從不聽。我一再要求他小心一点，但他从不听。
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06The teacher repeatedly stressed the importance of practice.
老師再三強調練習的重要性。老师再三强调练习的重要性。
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07He repeatedly apologized, but I still couldn’t forgive him.
他一再道歉，但我還是不能原諒他。他一再道歉，但我还是不能原谅他。
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08Before I left, my grandfather repeatedly told me to call home often.
出門前，爺爺再三交代我要常打電話回家。出门前，爷爷再三交代我要常打电话回家。
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09The government has repeatedly promised to fix the problem, but nothing has changed.
政府一再承諾解決這個問題，但情況一直沒有改變。政府一再承诺解决这个问题，但情况一直没有改变。
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10My friend repeatedly reminded me to bring my passport.
朋友再三提醒我要帶護照。朋友再三提醒我要帶护照。
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Grammar Point: 一再 yízài and 再三 zàisān are both Chinese expressions that convey the idea of “repeatedly” or “again and again.” While they share a similar meaning, there are nuanced differences in how they are used.
Structure
一再 yízài
In Chinese, the word 一再 yízà emphasizes the idea of doing something repeatedly or continuously, often to stress persistence or insistence. It’s frequently used in formal or written contexts to express a repeated action or request.
我一再嘗試解釋這個問題，但還是沒有人理解我一再尝试解释这个问题，但还是没有人理解 I have repeatedly tried to explain this issue, but no one understands.
我一再提醒自己每天都要喝足夠的水我一再提醒自己每天都要喝足够的水 I remind myself again and again to drink enough water every day.
每年健檢，醫生都一再告訴我要注意健康每年健检，医生都一再告诉我要注意健康 During the annual health checkup, the doctor repeatedly advises me to pay attention to my health.
他一再向我借錢，我感到很困擾他一再向我借钱，我感到很困扰 He keeps borrowing money from me, and it’s becoming a concern.
我一再拒絕他的告白，他還是不放棄我一再拒绝他的告白，他还是不放弃 I repeatedly reject him, but he still doesn’t give up.
再三 zàisān
In Chinese, 再三 zàisān also means “repeatedly” or “again and again,” but it’s commonly used in a more casual or spoken context. This expression might imply a sense of advising or cautioning against something after giving repeated reminders.
媽媽再三提醒我別忘了帶雨傘，因為今天會下雨妈妈再三提醒我别忘了带雨伞，因为今天会下雨 Mom repeatedly reminds me not to forget to bring an umbrella because it will rain today.
出國旅行前，奶奶再三交代我要小心照顧自己出国旅行前，奶奶再三交代我要小心照顾自己 Before heading abroad, my grandma kept reminding me to take good care of myself.
我再三跟他強調這是最後一次機會了我再三跟他强调这是最后一次机会了 I emphasize to him again and again that this is the last chance.
他再三警告我在台灣不要亂丟垃圾他再三警告我在台湾不要乱丢垃圾 He keeps reminding me not to litter in Taiwan.
老師再三叮嚀學生在考試前要好好複習老师再三叮咛学生在考试前要好好复习 The teacher keeps reminding students to study thoroughly before the exam.
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ I have repeatedly told you that Chinese is simple; why don’t you believe it?
我一再告訴你中文很簡單，你為什麼不相信我一再告诉你中文很简单，你为什么不相信
✔️ I’ve also reminded you multiple times to converse with yourself in Chinese every day.
我也再三提醒你要每天跟自己用中文對話我也再三提醒你要每天跟自己用中文对话
✔️ Finally, I must emphasize again and again that creating this website has truly taken up too much of my time.
