Comparing "zai" "you" and "hai"

The repetition of an action can be expressed using either 在 (zaì) or 又 (yòu), the main difference being that 又 is used for actions that have already occurred while 在 is used to express recurrences of an action in the future.

Both Express Repetition, But For Slightly Different Contexts

又 Indicates Recurrences That Have Already Taken Place

Structure

又+ Verb + 了

Examples

• 我上个周六去了迪士呢乐园, 昨天又去了。This indicates that I went to Disneyland and went again yesterday. I went to Disneyland last Saturday and went again yesterday.
• 他昨天看了一个冰球比赛，今天又看了一个。He watched a hockey game yesterday, and watched another one today.

NOTE: When paired with "是" or verbs that express necessity or possibility (modal verbs) such as 想, 能, 要, 可以 or 会, 又may be used to indicate the future recurrence of an action.

• 后天又是周五了。In this particular case, 又 is used to indicate the future repetition that the day after tomorrow will be Friday again. The day after tomorrow will be Friday again.

在 Indicates the recurrence of an action in the future

When you want to indicate that an action or event will reoccur in the future, use 在 (zaì). For instance, if you wanted to ask someone to repeat themselves because you didn't understand the first time you'd say, "麻烦你再说一边?"

Structure

在 + VP

Using 还 to indicate an increased amount

In this context, 还 is being used to express the increase in quantity of something, such as additional homework or plates of food at a restaurant.

Structure

VP1+ 还 + VP2