Difference between revisions of "Comparing "zai" and "you""

 
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都表示动作的重复,但是“再”表示还没发生的动作,“又”表示已经发生的动作。
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Both 再 (zài) and 又 (yòu) express the repeating of an action and can be roughly translated in English to "again." However, 再 is used to express actions that have not yet occurred (the "future again") and 又 is used for actions that have already occurred (the "past again")They're not interchangeable. In addition, each word has a few special usages.
Both 再 (zài) and 又 (yòu) express the duplication of an action.  However, 再 is used to express actions that have not yet occurred and 又 is used for actions that have already occurred.   
 
  
== 再 ==
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== 再 Expresses Repetition of an Action in the Future ==
  
“再”用在还没有实现的情景中,表示还没发生的动作,表示数量的累积。
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is used to express something that [[Again in the future with "zai"|has already happened and will happen again]].
 
 
can be used to describe actions and situations that have yet to occur.  It can also be used to describe the amount something has accumulated.  
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
再 + Verb
+
Subj. + 再 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我们 下次 <em>再</em> 来 这里 吧。
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<ul>
* 你 <em>再</em> 帮 我 打印 两 张,这 些 不 够。
+
<li>我们 下次 <em>再</em> 来 吧。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xiàcì <em>zài</em> lái ba.</span><span class="trans">We will come here again next time.</span></li>
 +
<li>我 想 <em>再</em> 看 一下。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng <em>zài</em> kàn yīxià.</span><span class="trans">I want to take another look.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 再 is used to express repetition of an action in the future ==
+
You need to use 再 for this usage; you can't use 又:
is used to express something that has already happened and will happen again.
+
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="x">请 <strong>又</strong> 说 一 次。<span class="expl">Since it is asking about a future action, you can't use "又"</span><span class="pinyin">Qǐng <strong>yòu</strong> shuō yī cì.</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">请 <em></em> 说 一 次。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng <em>zài</em> shuō yī cì.</span><span class="trans">Please say it one more time.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== 再 Can Express "Another" ==
 +
 
 +
Aside from expressing the repetition of an action, [[Again in the future with "zai"|can also be used to express the equivalent of the English word "another."]]
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
 +
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Subject + 再 + Verb + Object
+
Subj. + 再 + Verb + Obj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the "Object" mentioned above is usually also going to have an 一 and a [[measure word]] in front of it.  You'll see that in the examples below.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
 +
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o">明天 可能 <em>再</em> 迟到。</li>
+
<li class="o">我 <em>再</em> 看 一 部 电影。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào <em>zài</em> kàn yī bù diànyǐng.</span><span class="trans">I want to watch another movie.</span></li>
<li class="x">明天 我 可能 <em></em> 迟到。</li>
+
 
<li class="o"><em></em> 说 一次。</li>
+
<li class="o"> 你 可以 <em>再</em> 做 一 碗 面条 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ kěyǐ <em>zài</em> zuò yī wǎn miàntiáo ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you make another bowl of noodles?</span></li>
<li class="x"><em>又</em> 说 一次。</li>
+
 
 +
<li class="x"> 我 得 <strong>又</strong> 写 一 篇 作文。<span class="expl">Since it is about the future, you can't use "又"</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ děi <strong>yòu</strong> xiě yī piān zuòwén.</span><span class="trans">I have to write another essay.</span></li>
 +
 
 +
<li class="x"> 我 要 <strong>又</strong> 吃 一 块 蛋糕。<span class="expl">Since it is about the future, you can't use ""</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào <strong>yòu</strong> chī yī kuài dàngāo.</span><span class="trans">I want to eat another piece of cake.</span></li>
 +
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 再 can be used to say "and then" ==
+
== 再 Can Express "And Then" ==
再 can be used with 先 to express sequential order (ex. Do this....and then this...). In some cases, 再 can appear by itself to simply mean "and then"
+
 
 +
[[Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"|再 can be used with 先 to express sequential order]]. (ex. Do this....and then this....) In some cases, 再 can appear by itself to simply mean "and then."  While this doesn't sound so easy to confuse with 又, it's actually quite common for intermediate learners to misunderstand this use of 再 as meaning "again," so it's definitely worth mentioning here.
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + (先) + Action 1 + 再 + Action 2
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
  
=== Examples ===
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o">我们 <strong>先</strong> 做 作业 <em>再</em> 去 酒吧。</li>
+
<li class="o">我们 <strong>先</strong> 做 作业 <em>再</em> 去 爬山。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <strong>xiān</strong> zuò zuòyè <em>zài</em> qù páshān.</span><span class="trans">First we'll do our homework, then we'll go hiking in the mountains.</span></li>
<li class="x"><strong></strong> 吃饭 <em></em> 打 电话 給 父母。</li>  
+
<li class="o">我 <strong>先</strong> 买 房子 <em>再</em> 结婚。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>xiān</strong> mǎi fángzi <em>zài</em> jiéhūn.</span><span class="trans">First I'll buy a house, then I'll get married.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <strong>先</strong> 买 房子 <em>再</em> 结婚。</li>
+
<li class="o">我们 吃 完 饭 <em>再</em> 看 电影。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen chī wán fàn <em>zài</em> kàn diànyǐng ba.</span><span class="trans">We'll finish eating, then go see a movie.</span></li>
<li class="o">我们 买 饮料 <em>再</em> 看 电影。</li>
+
<li class="o">我们 回家 <em>再</em> 讨论,好 吗?<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen huíjiā <em>zài</em> tǎolùn, hǎo ma?</span><span class="trans">We can discuss it after we get home, OK?</span></li>
<li class="x">我 要 看书 <em>又</em> 睡觉。</li>
+
<li class="x">我 要 看 完 书 <em>又</em> 睡觉。<span class="expl">'"又"can not be used as the action"go to bed" haven't occured yet.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào kàn wán shū <em>yòu</em> shuìjiào.</span><span class="trans">I want to finish reading the book and then go to sleep.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">你 <strong>先</strong> 吃饭 <em>又</em> 打 电话 给 父母。<span class="expl">"又" does not sequence events.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>xiān</strong> chīfàn <em>yòu</em> dǎ diànhuà gěi fùmǔ.</span><span class="trans">You should eat before you call your parents.</span></li>  
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
== 又 Expresses Repetition of an Action That Has Already Occurred in the Past ==
 +
 +
又 is used in declarative sentences and describes the [[Again in the past with "you"|simple repetition of actions]]. This repeated action has already occurred once in the past.
  
== 再 can be used to say "another" ==
+
=== Structure ===
Along with expressing the repetition of an action, 再 can be used to express the equivalent of the English word "another"
+
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 又 + Verb + 了
 +
</div>
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
 +
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o">我 <em></em> 看 一部 电影。</li>
+
<li class="o">你 怎么 <em>又</em> 给 打 电话 了,什么事?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zěnme <em>yòu</em> gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà le, shénme shì?</span><span class="trans">Why do you keep calling me? What it it?</span></li>
<li class="x"> 我 得 <em>又</em> 写 一篇 作文。</li>
+
<li class="o">这 个 人 <em>又</em> 来 了。<span class="pinyin">Zhège rén <em>yòu</em> lái le.</span><span class="trans">This guy is here again.</span></li>
<li class="o"> 你 可以 <em>再</em> 做 一碗 面条 吗。</li>
+
<li class="o"><em>又</em> 不 来 上课 了,老师 可能 罚 他。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yòu</em> bù lái shàngkè le, lǎoshī kěnéng fá tā.</span><span class="trans">He didn't come to class again. The teacher is probably going to punish him.</span></li>
<li class="x"> 我 <em></em> 吃 一块 蛋糕。</li>
+
<li class="o">你 为什么 <em>又</em> 看 这 本 书 了? 你 已经 看 过 了。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ wèishénme <em>yòu</em> kàn zhè  běn shū le? nǐ yǐjīng kàn guò le.</span><span class="trans">Why are you reading that book again?You've already read it.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">昨天 他 <strong>再</strong> 看 了 一天 电视 。 <span class="expl">"" is not used for past events.</span><span class="pinyin">Zuótiān tā <em>zài</em> kàn le yī tiān diànshì.</span><span class="trans">He watched TV all day long again yesterday.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">昨天 <strong>再</strong> 申请 谷歌 开发 职位 了 。 <span class="expl">"再" is not used for past events.</span><span class="pinyin">Zuótiān wǒ <em>zài</em> shēnqǐng Gǔgē kāifā zhíwèi le.</span><span class="trans">I applied for a developer position at Google again yesterday.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 又 ==
+
== 又 Adds Emotional Coloring to Events Recurring in the Future ==
 +
 
 +
又 is sometimes used to express that something that has happened before ''is going to happen'' in the immediate future.  In this case, it usually appears with 要 (yào), 可以 (kěyǐ), 能 (néng), or 是 (shì).  This usage often expresses exasperation or impatience with something happening ''yet '''again''''', but sometimes it's more neutral, or even happy.
  
“又”用在陈述句中,只表示动作的简单重复,有时候带有不满、厌烦的感情色彩。没有表示数量累积的意思。
 
又 is used in declarative sentences and only describes the simple repetition of actions (so it does not imply quantity, unlike 再).  Sometimes, 又 implies discontent or dissatisfaction as well as feelings of boredom.
 
       
 
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
又 + Verb
+
Subj. + 又 + (Aux. +) Verb + Obj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 84: Line 118:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 你 怎么 <em>又</em> 给 我 打 电话,什么事?
+
 
* 这 个 老 男人 <em>又</em> 来 了。
+
* 明天 <em>又</em> <strong>是</strong> 星期一 !  <span class="pinyin">Míngtiān <em>yòu</em> <strong>shì</strong> Xīngqīyī!</span><span class="trans">Tomorrow is Monday again.</span>
 +
* 明天 <em>又</em> <strong>要 开会</strong>,真 烦 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Míngtiān <em>yòu</em> <strong>yào kāi huì</strong>, zhēn fán rén.</span><span class="trans">We're having another meeting tomorrow. So annoying!</span>
 +
* 你 <em>又</em> <strong>要 辞职</strong> 了 ? 为什么 ?  <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yòu</em> <strong>yào cízhí</strong> le? wèishénme?</span><span class="trans">You're going to resign again? Why?</span>
 +
* 夏天 快 到 了,<em>又</em> <strong>可以 吃 冰淇淋</strong> 了 ! <span class="pinyin">Xiàtiān kuài dào le, <em>yòu</em> <strong>kěyǐ chī bīngqílín</strong> le!</span><span class="trans">It's almost summer, and we can eat ice cream again!</span>
 +
* 如果 我 能 瘦 一些,我 就 <em>又</em> <strong>能 穿</strong> 我 最 喜欢 的 牛仔裤 啦 ! <span class="pinyin">Rúguǒ wǒ néng shòu yīxiē, wǒ jiù <em>yòu</em> <strong>néng chuān</strong> wǒ zuì xǐhuan de niúzǎikù la!</span><span class="trans">If I can slim down a bit, I can wear my favorite jeans again!</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Right or Wrong ==
+
== Both 再 and 又 Have Other Uses as Well ==
  
<div class="liju">
+
The comparisons above are the cases where and are most easily confused.  This wiki also has other uses of both, however:
<ul>
 
<li class="x">上 个 星期 我 <em>再</em> 出差 了。</li>
 
<li class="o">上 个 星期 我 <em>又</em> 出差 了。</li>
 
<li class="x">如果 他 <em></em> 打 电话 来,就 说 我 不 在。</li>
 
<li class="o">如果 他 <em></em> 打 电话 来,就 说 我 不 在。</li>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
  
== Dialog ==
+
* [[又|All uses of 又]]
 +
* [[再|All uses of 再]]
  
<div class="liju">
+
== See Also ==
* A: 你 要 <em>再</em>  喝 点 什么?
 
* B: 我 不 能 <em>再</em> 喝 了。
 
* A: 你 喝 的 不 多 啊。
 
* B: 你 走 以后,我 <em>又</em> 喝 了 两 瓶。
 
</div>
 
  
== See also ==
+
* [[Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"]]
 +
* [[Again in the future with "zai"]]
 +
* [[Again in the past with "you"]]
  
 
== Sources and  further reading ==
 
== Sources and  further reading ==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|67}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|157}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|202}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|157}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|288}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|202}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|258-9}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|19-20}}
 +
 +
===Websites===
 +
 +
* Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/chineseusagedictionary/0212.html Using 再 and 又]
  
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|再|A2|再 vs 又|我不能<em>再</em>喝了,你走后我<em>又</em>喝了两瓶 。|grammar point|ASGTBHBG}}
+
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|再|B2|再 vs 又|我不能<em>再</em>喝了,你走后我<em>又</em>喝了两瓶 。|grammar point|ASGTBHBG}}
 
{{Rel char|又}}
 
{{Rel char|又}}
 +
{{Translation|again}}
 +
{{Similar|Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"}}
 +
{{Similar|Again in the future with "zai"}}
 +
{{Similar|Again in the past with "you"}}
 +
{{Similar|Repeated actions in the past with "you"}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
{{Comparison}}
+
{{Used for|Sequencing events in time}}
 +
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}

Latest revision as of 07:24, 19 January 2021

Both 再 (zài) and 又 (yòu) express the repeating of an action and can be roughly translated in English to "again." However, 再 is used to express actions that have not yet occurred (the "future again") and 又 is used for actions that have already occurred (the "past again"). They're not interchangeable. In addition, each word has a few special usages.

再 Expresses Repetition of an Action in the Future

再 is used to express something that has already happened and will happen again.

Structure

Subj. + 再 + Verb

Examples

  • 我们 下次 来 吧。Wǒmen xiàcì zài lái ba.We will come here again next time.
  • 我 想 看 一下。Wǒ xiǎng zài kàn yīxià.I want to take another look.

You need to use 再 for this usage; you can't use 又:

  • 说 一 次。Since it is asking about a future action, you can't use "又"Qǐng yòu shuō yī cì.
  • 说 一 次。Qǐng zài shuō yī cì.Please say it one more time.

再 Can Express "Another"

Aside from expressing the repetition of an action, 再 can also be used to express the equivalent of the English word "another."

Structure

Subj. + 再 + Verb + Obj.

Note that the "Object" mentioned above is usually also going to have an 一 and a measure word in front of it. You'll see that in the examples below.

Examples

  • 我 要 看 一 部 电影。Wǒ yào zài kàn yī bù diànyǐng.I want to watch another movie.
  • 你 可以 做 一 碗 面条 吗 ?Nǐ kěyǐ zài zuò yī wǎn miàntiáo ma?Can you make another bowl of noodles?
  • 我 得 写 一 篇 作文。Since it is about the future, you can't use "又"Wǒ děi yòu xiě yī piān zuòwén.I have to write another essay.
  • 我 要 吃 一 块 蛋糕。Since it is about the future, you can't use "又"Wǒ yào yòu chī yī kuài dàngāo.I want to eat another piece of cake.

再 Can Express "And Then"

再 can be used with 先 to express sequential order. (ex. Do this....and then this....) In some cases, 再 can appear by itself to simply mean "and then." While this doesn't sound so easy to confuse with 又, it's actually quite common for intermediate learners to misunderstand this use of 再 as meaning "again," so it's definitely worth mentioning here.

Structure

Subj. + (先) + Action 1 + 再 + Action 2

Examples

  • 我们 做 作业 去 爬山。Wǒmen xiān zuò zuòyè zài qù páshān.First we'll do our homework, then we'll go hiking in the mountains.
  • 买 房子 结婚。xiān mǎi fángzi zài jiéhūn.First I'll buy a house, then I'll get married.
  • 我们 吃 完 饭 看 电影。Wǒmen chī wán fàn zài kàn diànyǐng ba.We'll finish eating, then go see a movie.
  • 我们 回家 讨论,好 吗?Wǒmen huíjiā zài tǎolùn, hǎo ma?We can discuss it after we get home, OK?
  • 我 要 看 完 书 睡觉。'"又"can not be used as the action"go to bed" haven't occured yet.Wǒ yào kàn wán shū yòu shuìjiào.I want to finish reading the book and then go to sleep.
  • 吃饭 打 电话 给 父母。"又" does not sequence events.xiān chīfàn yòu dǎ diànhuà gěi fùmǔ.You should eat before you call your parents.

又 Expresses Repetition of an Action That Has Already Occurred in the Past

又 is used in declarative sentences and describes the simple repetition of actions. This repeated action has already occurred once in the past.

Structure

Subj. + 又 + Verb + 了

Examples

  • 你 怎么 给 我 打 电话 了,什么事?Nǐ zěnme yòu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà le, shénme shì?Why do you keep calling me? What it it?
  • 这 个 人 来 了。Zhège rén yòu lái le.This guy is here again.
  • 不 来 上课 了,老师 可能 罚 他。yòu bù lái shàngkè le, lǎoshī kěnéng fá tā.He didn't come to class again. The teacher is probably going to punish him.
  • 你 为什么 看 这 本 书 了? 你 已经 看 过 了。 Nǐ wèishénme yòu kàn zhè běn shū le? nǐ yǐjīng kàn guò le.Why are you reading that book again?You've already read it.
  • 昨天 他 看 了 一天 电视 。 "再" is not used for past events.Zuótiān tā zài kàn le yī tiān diànshì.He watched TV all day long again yesterday.
  • 昨天 我 申请 谷歌 开发 职位 了 。 "再" is not used for past events.Zuótiān wǒ zài shēnqǐng Gǔgē kāifā zhíwèi le.I applied for a developer position at Google again yesterday.

又 Adds Emotional Coloring to Events Recurring in the Future

又 is sometimes used to express that something that has happened before is going to happen in the immediate future. In this case, it usually appears with 要 (yào), 可以 (kěyǐ), 能 (néng), or 是 (shì). This usage often expresses exasperation or impatience with something happening yet again, but sometimes it's more neutral, or even happy.

Structure

Subj. + 又 + (Aux. +) Verb + Obj.

Examples

  • 明天 星期一 ! Míngtiān yòu shì Xīngqīyī!Tomorrow is Monday again.
  • 明天 要 开会,真 烦 人 。 Míngtiān yòu yào kāi huì, zhēn fán rén.We're having another meeting tomorrow. So annoying!
  • 要 辞职 了 ? 为什么 ? yòu yào cízhí le? wèishénme?You're going to resign again? Why?
  • 夏天 快 到 了, 可以 吃 冰淇淋 了 ! Xiàtiān kuài dào le, yòu kěyǐ chī bīngqílín le!It's almost summer, and we can eat ice cream again!
  • 如果 我 能 瘦 一些,我 就 能 穿 我 最 喜欢 的 牛仔裤 啦 ! Rúguǒ wǒ néng shòu yīxiē, wǒ jiù yòu néng chuān wǒ zuì xǐhuan de niúzǎikù la!If I can slim down a bit, I can wear my favorite jeans again!

Both 再 and 又 Have Other Uses as Well

The comparisons above are the cases where 又 and 再 are most easily confused. This wiki also has other uses of both, however:

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites