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

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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 some additional special usages.  
+
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 is used to express repetition of an action in the future ==
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== 再 Expresses Repetition of an Action in the Future ==
  
 
再 is used to express something that [[Again in the future with "zai"|has already happened and will happen again]].
 
再 is used to express something that [[Again in the future with "zai"|has already happened and will happen again]].
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</div>
 
</div>
  
== 再 can be used to say "another" ==
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== 再 Can Express "Another" ==
  
 
Aside from expressing the repetition of an action, [[Again in the future with "zai"|再 can also be used to express the equivalent of the English word "another."]]
 
Aside from expressing the repetition of an action, [[Again in the future with "zai"|再 can also be used to express the equivalent of the English word "another."]]
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</div>
 
</div>
  
== 再 can be used to say "and then" ==
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== 再 Can Express "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.
 
[[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.
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<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。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <strong>xiān</strong> zuò zuòyè <em>zài</em> qù jiǔbā.</span><span class="trans">First we'll do our work, then we'll go to the bar.</span></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="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。<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">After we buy a drink, then we'll go to a movie.</span></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 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 discuss it after we go home, OK?</span></li>
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<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 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 read the book and go to sleep.</span></li>
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<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>  
 
<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 is used to express repetition of an action that has already occurred in the past ==
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== 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.
 
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.
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</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Example ===
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o">你 怎么 <em>又</em> 给 我 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">You keep calling me, what's the matter?</span></li>
+
<li class="o">你 怎么 <em>又</em> 给 我 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="o">这 个 人 <em>又</em> 来 了。<span class="pinyin">Zhège rén <em>yòu</em> lái le.</span><span class="trans">This man is here again.</span></li>
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<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">他 <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="o">他 <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="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 already read it.</span></li>
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<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> 喝醉 了。 <span class="expl">"再" is not used for past events.</span><span class="pinyin">Zuótiān tā <em>zài</em> hēzuì le.</span><span class="trans">He was drunk again yesterday.</span></li>
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<li class="x">昨天 他 <strong>再</strong> 看 了 一天 电视 。 <span class="expl">"再" 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 我 <strong>再</strong> 看 电影 了。 <span class="expl">"再" is not used for past events.</span><span class="pinyin">Zuótiān wǒ <em>zài</em> kàn diànyǐng le.</span><span class="trans">
+
<li class="x">昨天 我 <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>
I watched the movie again yesterday.</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 又 adds emotional coloring to events recurring in the future ==
+
== 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 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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 又 + 助动词 / 谓语动词 + Obj.  
+
Subj. + 又 + (Aux. +) Verb + Obj.  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Example ===
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 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>
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* 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</strong> 开会,真 烦 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Míngtiān <em>yòu</em> <strong>yào</strong> kāi huì, zhēn fán rén.</span><span class="trans">We're having another meeting tomorrow. So annoying!</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</strong> 辞职 了 ? 为什么 ?  <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yòu</em> <strong>yào</strong> cízhí le? wèishénme?</span><span class="trans">You're going to resign again? Why?</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</strong> 吃 冰淇淋 了 ! <span class="pinyin">Xiàtiān kuài dào le, <em>yòu</em> <strong>kěyǐ</strong> chī bīngqílín le!</span><span class="trans">It's almost summer, and we can eat ice cream again!</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</strong> 穿 我 最 喜欢 的 牛仔裤 啦 ! <span class="pinyin">Rúguǒ wǒ néng shòu yīxiē, wǒ jiù <em>yòu</em> <strong>néng</strong> chuān 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>
+
* 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>
  
== Both 再 and 又 have other uses as well ==
+
== 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:
 
The comparisons above are the cases where 又 and 再 are most easily confused.  This wiki also has other uses of both, however:

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