Expressing "again" in the future with "zai"

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.

Used as "Again"

The basic structure for using the future "again" is:

Structure

Subj. + 再 + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

• 我们 明年 再 来 。Wǒmen míngnián zài lái.We'll come again next year.
• 再 试 一下 。Zài shì yīxià.Try it again.
• 你 可以 再 说 一 遍 吗 ？Nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?Can you please say it again?
• 这 本 书 我 要 再 看 一 遍 。Zhè běn shū wǒ yào zài kàn yī biàn.I want to read this book again.
• 你 应该 再 复习 一 遍 。Nǐ yīnggāi zài fùxí yī biàn.You should review it 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!"

Used as "Another" or "Some More"

The English word "another" is often avoided altogether by using 再.

Structure

Subj. + 再 + Verb + Obj.

In this case, the object includes a quantity phrase.

Examples

• 再 吃 一点 。Zài chī yīdiǎn.Eat more.
• 再 点 几个 菜 吧 。Zài diǎn jǐ gè cài ba.Let's order some more dishes.
• 服务员 ，再 来 两 瓶 啤酒 。Fúwùyuán, zài lái liǎng píng píjiǔ.Waiter, two more bottles of beer, please.
• 再 给 我 几个 菜三天 时间 。Zài gěi wǒ sān tiān shíjiān.Give me another three days.
• 我 能 不 能 再 拿 两 个 ？Wǒ néng bu néng zài ná liǎng gè?Can I take two more?

Used for 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 。Zài zhǎozhao.Keep looking.
• 你 再 问问 。 Nǐ zài wènwen.Keep asking and ask someone else.
• 别 急 ，再 想想 。Bié jí, zài xiǎngxiang.Don't worry. Keep thinking.
• 再 聊 一会儿 。Zài liáo yīhuǐr.Keep talking.
• 再 等 一会儿 。Zài děng yīhuǐr.Let's wait a little longer.

See also

• "Never again" with "zai ye bu"
• Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"
• Expressing "again" in the past with "you"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 157) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 202) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Using 再 and 又