Difference between revisions of "Expressing "again" in the future with "zai""
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While 又 (yòu) is used for [[Again in the past with "you"|"again" in the past]], 再 (zài) is used for "again" in the future. That is, 再 is used when something has happened once and it ''will'' happen again. | While 又 (yòu) is used for [[Again in the past with "you"|"again" in the past]], 再 (zài) is used for "again" in the future. That is, 再 is used when something has happened once and it ''will'' happen again. | ||
| − | == 再 | + | == 再 as "Again" == |
The basic structure for using the ''future'' "again" is: | The basic structure for using the ''future'' "again" is: | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | |||
Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase | Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase | ||
| − | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
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*请 <em>再</em> 说 一 遍 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng <em>zài</em> shuō yī biàn.</span><span class="trans">Say it again, please.</span> | *请 <em>再</em> 说 一 遍 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng <em>zài</em> shuō yī biàn.</span><span class="trans">Say it again, please.</span> | ||
*我 想 <em>再</em> 看 一 遍 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng <em>zài</em> kàn yībiàn.</span><span class="trans">I want to watch it again.</span> | *我 想 <em>再</em> 看 一 遍 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng <em>zài</em> kàn yībiàn.</span><span class="trans">I want to watch it again.</span> | ||
| − | * | + | *我 可以 <em>再</em> 试 一下 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zài</em> shì yīxià ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I try it again?</span> |
| − | * | + | *我 希望 能 <em>再</em> 回去 一 次 。<span class="trans">I hope that I can go back there again.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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In fact, this structure is present in one of the most common Chinese phrases: "再见!" In this case, it literally means "See you again!" | In fact, this structure is present in one of the most common Chinese phrases: "再见!" In this case, it literally means "See you again!" | ||
| − | == 再 | + | == 再 as "Another" or "Some More" == |
The English word "another" is often avoided altogether by using 再. | The English word "another" is often avoided altogether by using 再. | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | + | Subj. + 再 + Verb-Obj. | |
| − | Subj. + 再 + Verb | ||
| − | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * <em>再</em> 吃 | + | *<em>再</em> 吃 一点 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> chī yī diǎn.</span><span class="trans">Eat more.</span> |
| − | * | + | *服务员 ，<em>再</em> 来 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>zài</em> zhǎo yī gè rén ba.</span><span class="trans">Let's find another person.</span> |
| − | * 我们 <em>再</em> 等 他 五 分钟 | + | *我们 <em>再</em> 等 他 五 分钟 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>zài</em> děng tā wǔ fēnzhōng.</span><span class="trans">Let's wait for him five more minutes.</span> |
| − | * 你 <em>再</em> 给 我 五十 | + | *你 <em>再</em> 给 我 五十 块 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zài</em> gěi wǒ wǔshí kuài.</span><span class="trans">Give me fifty more kuai.</span> |
| − | * 我们 <em>再</em> 给 | + | *他 问 我们 能 不 能 <em>再</em> 给 他 几 天 时间 。<span class="pinyin">Tā wèn wǒmen néng bù néng <em>zài</em> gěi tā jǐ tiān shíjiān.</span><span class="trans">He asked if we can give him a little more time.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == 再 | + | == 再 as "Continuous Action" == |
Here 再 is similar to the English "for a while longer" or "keep [going/doing]." | Here 再 is similar to the English "for a while longer" or "keep [going/doing]." | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | |||
Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase | Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase | ||
| − | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * <em>再</em> 找 | + | *<em>再</em> 找 找 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> zhǎozhao.</span><span class="trans">Keep looking a little bit.</span> |
| − | * <em>再</em> 等 等 他 | + | *<em>再</em> 等 等 他 吧 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zài</em> děngdeng tā ba.</span><span class="trans">Keep waiting for him for a little while.</span> |
| − | * 时间 还 早，<em>再</em> 玩 一会儿 | + | *时间 还 早，<em>再</em> 玩 一会儿 吧 。<span class="pinyin">Shíjiān hái zǎo, <em>zài</em> wán yīhuǐ'er ba.</span><span class="trans">It's still early. Let's keep playing for a while.</span> |
| − | * 现在 才 六 点 半，我 想 <em>再</em> 睡 | + | *现在 才 六 点 半，我 想 <em>再</em> 睡 一会儿 。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài cái liù diǎn bàn, wǒ xiǎng <em>zài</em> shuì yīhuǐ'er.</span><span class="trans">It's only 6:30. I want to sleep a little longer.</span> |
| − | * 你们 想 不 想 <em>再</em> 休息 | + | *你们 想 不 想 <em>再</em> 休息 一会儿 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen xiǎng bu xiǎng <em>zài</em> xiūxi yīhuǐ'er? </span><span class="trans">Do you guys want to rest for a little longer? </span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 02:19, 4 September 2017
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Level
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Similar to
- Expressing "again" in the past with "you" (B1)
- Expressing "the other" with "lingwai" (B1)
- Sequencing with "xian" and "zai" (B1)
- Comparing "zai" and "you" (B2)
- Expressing "never again" with "zai ye bu" (B2)
- Expressing "over and over again" with "zaisan" (B2)
- Expressing a last chance with "zaibu... jiu..." (B2)
- Expressing "even so" with "zaibu... ye..." (C1)
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Used for
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Keywords
While 又 (yòu) is used for "again" in the past, 再 (zài) is used for "again" in the future. That is, 再 is used when something has happened once and it will happen again.
Contents
再 as "Again"
The basic structure for using the future "again" is:
Structure
Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase
Examples
- 我 明天 再 来 。I'll come again tomorrow.
- 请 再 说 一 遍 。Say it again, please.
- 我 想 再 看 一 遍 。I want to watch it again.
- 我 可以 再 试 一下 吗 ？Can I try it again?
- 我 希望 能 再 回去 一 次 。I hope that I can go back there again.
In fact, this structure is present in one of the most common Chinese phrases: "再见!" In this case, it literally means "See you again!"
再 as "Another" or "Some More"
The English word "another" is often avoided altogether by using 再.
Structure
Subj. + 再 + Verb-Obj.
Examples
- 再 吃 一点 。Eat more.
- 服务员 ，再 来 。Let's find another person.
- 我们 再 等 他 五 分钟 。Let's wait for him five more minutes.
- 你 再 给 我 五十 块 。Give me fifty more kuai.
- 他 问 我们 能 不 能 再 给 他 几 天 时间 。He asked if we can give him a little more time.
再 as "Continuous Action"
Here 再 is similar to the English "for a while longer" or "keep [going/doing]."
Structure
Subj. + 再 + Verb Phrase
Examples
- 再 找 找 。Keep looking a little bit.
- 再 等 等 他 吧 。Keep waiting for him for a little while.
- 时间 还 早，再 玩 一会儿 吧 。It's still early. Let's keep playing for a while.
- 现在 才 六 点 半，我 想 再 睡 一会儿 。It's only 6:30. I want to sleep a little longer.
- 你们 想 不 想 再 休息 一会儿 ？Do you guys want to rest for a little longer?
See Also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 157) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 202) →buy
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Using 再 and 又
