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再说 (zài shuō) — (verb) to say again; to postpone discussion; (conjunction) moreover, besides, what's more

Definition

再说 is a double-duty word: as a conjunction it means 'moreover, besides' (similar to 而且/另外/此外, but very colloquial and common in speech); as a verb it means 'to say again' or 'to put off discussing'.

verb
to say againto postpone discussion
conjunction
moreoverbesideswhat's more

Examples

  • 再说，。
    zài shuō, Wǒ men hái yǒu shí jiān.
    Besides, we still have time.
  • 再说。
    Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.
    Please say it again.
  • ，再说。
    Xiān bǎ zhè ge wèn tí fàng yi fàng, yǐ hòu zài shuō.
    Let's put this issue aside for now and discuss it later.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

再zàiagain
说shuōsay

The idea of 再 (again) with 说 (say) gives saying something again or adding another point.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

Open 再 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 說; 说 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
兌
兌duì說shuō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 說 pairs 言 (meaning) with 兌 (sound); the simplified 说 is not the form described here.

Open 说 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4Communication & Speech2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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