Expressing "again" in the future with "zai"
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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 想 再 去 一 次 。I want to go 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 Phrase]
Examples
- 再 吃 一点 。Eat more.
- 服务员 ，再 来 两 瓶 啤酒 。Waiter, two more bottles of beer, please.
- 你 再 给 我 五十 块 。Give me fifty more kuai.
- 我 能 不 能 再 拿 两 个 ？Can I take two more?
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.
- 不 急 ，再 想想 。Don't worry. Keep thinking.
- 再 等 一会儿 吧 。Let's wait a little longer.
- 时间 还 早 ，再 玩 一会儿 。It's still early. Let's keep playing a.
- 现在 才 六 点 半 ，你 可以 再 睡 一会儿 。It's only half past six. You can sleep 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
