再 zài
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
- Structure
- Examples
- See also
- Sources and further reading
- Books
再as "Again"
The basic structure for using the future "again" is:
Structure
Examples
- 我 明天 再 来 。
Wǒ míngtiān zài lái.
I'll come again tomorrow.
- 请 再 说 一 遍 。
Qǐng zài shuō yī biàn.
Say it again, please.
- 我 想 再 看 一 遍 。
Wǒ xiǎng zài kàn yībiàn.
I want to watch it again.
- 我 可以 再 试 一下 吗 ？
Nǐ zài shì yīxià ma?
Can I try it again?
- 我 希望 能 再 去 一 次 。
Wǒ xīwàng néng zài qù yī cì.
I hope that I can 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
Examples
- 再 吃 一点 。
Zài chī yīdiǎn.
Eat more.
- 服务员 ，再 来 。
Wǒmen zài zhǎo yī gè rén ba.
Let's find another person.
- 我们 再 等 他 五 分钟 。
Wǒmen zài děng tā wǔ fēnzhōng.
Let's wait for him five more minutes.
- 你 再 给 我 五十 块 。
Nǐ zài gěi wǒ wǔshí kuài.
Give me fifty more kuai.
- 他 问 我们 能 不 能 再 给 他 几 天 时间 。
Tā wèn wǒmen néng bu néng zài gěi tā jǐ tiān shíjiān.
He asked if we can give him a few more days.
再 as "Continuous Action"
Here 再 is similar to the English "for a while longer" or "keep [going/doing]."
Structure
Examples
- 再 找 找 。
Zài zhǎozhao.
Keep looking a little bit.
- 再 等 等 他 吧 。
Zài děngdeng tā ba.
Keep waiting for him for a little while.
- 时间 还 早，再 玩 一会儿 吧 。
Shíjiān hái zǎo, zài wán yīhuǐ'er ba.
It's still early. Let's keep playing for a while.
- 现在 才 六 点 半，我 想 再 睡 一会儿 。
Xiànzài cái liù diǎn bàn, wǒ xiǎng zài shuì yīhuǐ'er.
It's only 6:30. I want to sleep a little longer.
- 你们 想 不 想 再 休息 一会儿 ？
Nǐmen xiǎng bu xiǎng zài xiūxi yīhuǐ'er?
Do you guys want to rest for a little longer?
See Also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 157)
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 202)
Websites
Expressing "again" in the future with "zai"
(Redirected from ASGIZQJ2)
Level B1
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)
Used for
Expressing time and date
Keywords
再
Translations
again, another
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
1 Used as "Again"
1.1 Structure
1.2 Examples
2 Used as "Another" or "Some More"
2.1 Structure
2.2 Examples
3 Used for Continuous Action
3.1 Structure
3.2 Examples
4 See also
5 Sources and further reading
5.1 Books
5.2 Websites
Used as "Again"
The basic structure for using the future "again" is:
Structure
Subj. + 再 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
我们 明年 再 来 。
Wǒmen míngnián zài lái.
We'll come again next year.
再 试 一下 。
Zài shì yīxià.
Try it again.
你 可以 再 说 一 遍 吗 ？
Nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?
Can you please say it again?
这 本 书 我 要 再 看 一 遍 。
Zhè běn shū wǒ yào zài kàn yī biàn.
I want to read this book again.
你 应该 再 复习 一 遍 。
Nǐ yīnggāi zài fùxí yī biàn.
You should review it 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!"
Used as "Another" or "Some More"
The English word "another" is often avoided altogether by using 再.
Structure
Subj. + 再 + Verb + Obj.
In this case, the object includes a quantity phrase.
Examples
再 吃 一点 。
Zài chī yīdiǎn.
Eat more.
再 点 几个 菜 吧 。
Zài diǎn jǐ gè cài ba.
Let's order some more dishes.
服务员 ，再 来 两 瓶 啤酒 。
Fúwùyuán, zài lái liǎng píng píjiǔ.
Waiter, two more bottles of beer, please.
再 给 我 三天 时间 。
Zài gěi wǒ sān tiān shíjiān.
Give me another three days.
我 能 不 能 再 拿 两 个 ？
Wǒ néng bu néng zài ná liǎng gè?
Can I take two more?
Used for Continuous Action
Here 再 is similar to the English "for a while longer" or "keep [going/doing]."
Structure
Subj. + 再 + Verb + Verb
Examples
再 找找 。
Zài zhǎozhao.
Keep looking.
你 再 问问 。
Nǐ zài wènwen.
Keep asking and ask someone else.
别 急 ，再 想想 。
Bié jí, zài xiǎngxiang.
Don't worry. Keep thinking.
You can also add 一会儿 after the verb to mean "keep doing something a little longer."
再 聊 一会儿 。
Zài liáo yīhuǐr.
Let's keep talking for a little bit.
再 等 一会儿 。
Zài děng yīhuǐr.
Let's wait a little longer.
See also
"Never again" with "zai ye bu"
Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"
Expressing "again" in the past with "you"
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