又 (yòu) vs. 再 (zài): How to Say "Again" in Chinese (With Examples)

In English, the word "again" works in both the past and the future:

"I ate dumplings again yesterday." (Past)
"Please say it again tomorrow." (Future)

In Mandarin Chinese, however, you cannot use the same word for both sentences. You must choose between two distinct adverbs: 又 (yòu) and 再 (zài).

Mixing these two up is one of the most common mistakes on intermediate HSK exams. Fortunately, the fundamental distinction is clear once you remember one core concept:

又 (yòu) is used for actions repeated in the past or present.
再 (zài) is used for actions to be repeated in the future.

Let us examine the exact formulas, real-world examples, conversational dialogues, and special exceptions. For more baseline sentence patterns, check out our Chinese grammar for beginners guide.

1. Quick Comparison: The Golden Time Rule

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      THE "AGAIN" SPLIT                      |
|                                                             |
|  又 (yòu) -> Happened AGAIN in the PAST / HAPPENING NOW    |
|  再 (zài) -> Will happen AGAIN in the FUTURE               |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Look at this simple pair:

他又迟到了。
- Pinyin: Tā yòu chídào le.
- English: He was late again (it already happened -> use 又).
- Note on particles: Notice the particle 了 marking completion.
请你再说一遍。
- Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ zài shuō yí biàn.
- English: Please say it again (you haven't said it yet; future request -> use 再).

2. When to Use 又 (yòu): Past Repeats and Inevitable Habits

Function 1: Actions Repeated in the Past

Whenever an action has already recurred at least once, place 又 immediately before the verb.

Formula: Subject + 又 + Verb + 了 + Object

Detailed Sentence Examples:

昨天他又买了一双新鞋。
- Pinyin: Zuótiān tā yòu mǎi le yì shuāng xīn xié.
- English: Yesterday he bought a new pair of shoes again.
- Measure Word Note: Notice the classifier 双 (shuāng). Check our guide to Chinese measure words.
今天早上他又喝了两杯冰咖啡。
- Pinyin: Jīntiān zǎoshang tā yòu hē le liǎng bēi bīng kāfēi.
- English: This morning he drank two cups of iced coffee again.
你怎么又把钥匙丢了？
- Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme yòu bǎ yàoshi diū le?
- English: How did you lose your keys again?
- Structure Note: Notice the disposal pattern. Read our complete 把 sentence guide.

Function 2: Inevitable, Periodic Present Actions

You can also use 又 for events that occur predictably in the present or natural calendar cycle:

春天又到了，花儿都开了。
- Pinyin: Chūntiān yòu dào le, huār dōu kāi le.
- English: Spring has arrived again, and the flowers are all blooming.
今天是星期一，又该上班了。
- Pinyin: Jīntiān shì xīngqīyī, yòu gāi shàngbān le.
- English: Today is Monday; it is time for work again.

Function 3: The Correlative Pattern "又...又..." (Both... and...)

When linking two qualities or conditions that exist simultaneously:

Formula: 又 + Adjective A + 又 + Adjective B
这家饭馆的菜又便宜又好吃。
- Pinyin: Zhè jiā fànguǎn de cài yòu piányi yòu hǎochī.
- English: The dishes at this restaurant are both cheap and delicious.
这个西瓜又大又甜。
- Pinyin: Zhège xīguā yòu dà yòu tián.
- English: This watermelon is both big and sweet.

3. When to Use 再 (zài): Future Repeats and Continuations

Function 1: Actions Repeated in the Future

When an action has not happened yet, but will happen again at a later time, place 再 directly in front of the verb.

Formula: Subject + (Time) + 再 + Verb + Object

Detailed Sentence Examples:

我们明天再去那家咖啡馆吧。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān zài qù nà jiā kāfēiguǎn ba.
- English: Let us go to that cafe again tomorrow.
这个问题我们下周再讨论。
- Pinyin: Zhège wèntí wǒmen xià zhōu zài tǎolùn.
- English: We will discuss this problem again next week.
欢迎你下次再来中国旅游！
- Pinyin: Huānyíng nǐ xià cì zài lái Zhōngguó lǚyóu!
- English: Welcome to visit China again next time!

Function 2: Polite Requests ("Do It One More Time")

When asking someone to repeat an action for your benefit, always use 再:

老师，请您再讲一次，好吗？
- Pinyin: Lǎoshī, qǐng nín zài jiǎng yí cì, hǎo ma?
- English: Teacher, could you please explain it one more time?
等一下，我再看一看这封邮件。
- Pinyin: Děng yíxià, wǒ zài kàn yí kàn zhè fēng yóujiàn.
- English: Wait a moment, let me take another look at this email.

Cultural Note: The most famous phrase in the Chinese language, 再见 (zàijiàn), literally translates to "see you again" (再 = again, 见 = see). It uses 再 because the meeting will happen in the future!

Function 3: Sequential Actions ("First A, Then B")

再 often pairs with 先 (xiān, first) to indicate chronological order:

Formula: 先 + Action A, 再 + Action B
我们先吃晚饭，再去超市买东西。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen xiān chī wǎnfàn, zài qù chāoshì mǎi dōngxi.
- English: We will first eat dinner, and then go shopping at the supermarket.

4. Master Comparison Table: 又 vs. 再

Grammar Feature	又 (yòu)	再 (zài)	Example Sentence	English Translation
Time Focus	Past or Present	Future	昨天他又来了 / 明天他再来	He came again yesterday / He will come again tomorrow
Speaker Tone	Often mild annoyance or resignation	Neutral request or plan	你怎么又忘了？ / 请你再想一想	How did you forget again? / Please think about it again
Particle 了	Commonly paired with 了	Never used with 了	他又买了一本书。	He bought another book again.
Fixed Pattern	又...又... (Both... and...)	先...再... (First... then...)	又快又好 / 先做再看	Fast and good / Do first, look later

5. Real-Life Dialogues Comparing 又 and 再

Dialogue 1: Ordering Food

Customer: 服务员，这杯绿茶太好喝了，我能再要一杯吗？
- Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, zhè bēi lǜchá tài hǎohē le, wǒ néng zài yào yì bēi ma?
- English: Waiter, this cup of green tea is delicious, can I have another cup? (Future request -> 再)
Waiter: 当然可以！今天您已经是第三次要绿茶了。
- Pinyin: Dāngrán kěyǐ! Jīntiān nín yǐjīng shì dì-sān cì yào lǜchá le.
- English: Of course! Today is already your third time asking for green tea.
Customer: 是啊，我又点了一杯！
- Pinyin: Shì a, wǒ yòu diǎn le yì bēi!
- English: Yes, I ordered one again! (Past completed action -> 又)

Dialogue 2: Missing the Subway

A: 糟糕，地铁门关上了，我们又错过了一班车！
- Pinyin: Zāogāo, dìtiě mén guānshàng le, wǒmen yòu cuòguò le yì bān chē!
- English: Oh no, the subway doors closed, we missed a train again! (Just happened -> 又)
B: 别着急，五分钟后我们再坐下一班。
- Pinyin: Bié zháojí, wǔ fēnzhōng hòu wǒmen zài zuò xià yì bān.
- English: Do not worry, in five minutes we will take the next train. (Upcoming future action -> 再)

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using 又 for Future Requests

Wrong: 请你又说一遍。
- Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ yòu shuō yí biàn. (Incorrect)
- Why it fails: The speaking has not occurred yet; it is a request for future action.
Correct: 请你再说一遍。
- Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ zài shuō yí biàn.
- English: Please say it again.

Mistake 2: Using 再 with Completed Particle 了

Wrong: 昨天我再去了一次长城了。
- Pinyin: Zuótiān wǒ zài qù le yí cì Chángchéng le. (Incorrect)
- Why it fails: 昨天 (yesterday) and 了 indicate a past completed trip. You must use 又.
Correct: 昨天我又去了一次长城。
- Pinyin: Zuótiān wǒ yòu qù le yí cì Chángchéng.
- English: Yesterday I visited the Great Wall again.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Can 又 ever refer to future events?

There is one specific exception: when an unwanted event is scheduled to recur in the future with total certainty, native speakers sometimes use 又 with 要 (yào):

明天又要考试了。
- Pinyin: Míngtiān yòu yào kǎoshì le.
- English: Tomorrow there is an exam again (sigh, another exam). Here, 又 conveys the speaker's mild frustration or resignation regarding a recurring routine.

Why does 再见 have 再 and not 又?

Because "goodbye" looks forward to meeting again in the future: 再 (again in the future) + 见 (to see).

8. Master Mandarin Adverbs with learnchineseapp.com

Differentiating between 又 and 再 in live conversation requires active practice so your brain associates time context with the right word automatically.

At learnchineseapp.com, you can:

Interactive Timeline Drills: Identify whether an action happened in the past or will happen in the future and pick the correct adverb instantly.
Native Audio Scenarios: Train your ears to pick up speaker emotions (frustration with 又 vs. polite invitation with 再).
Comprehensive Grammar Guides: Seamlessly connect this lesson with the particle 了 and modal verbs like 会, 能, and 可以.

Start practicing today and speak Mandarin with natural grammatical precision.