Definition
又 (yòu) means 'again' for actions that have already happened or are habitual — use it when the repetition is a past fact. For future or planned repetition, use 再 (zài) instead (e.g., 再说 'say it again later'). 又 also appears in the 又…又… pattern meaning 'both…and…' (又大又红).
adverb
again (of a past or habitual action)both…and… (in the pattern 又…又…)and yetbut then (indicating contrast or reluctance)
Easily confused
- 有yǒusound-aliketo have, to possess
- 由yóusound-alike(preposition) by (indicating the agent or doer of an action)
- 右yòusound-alikeright side; right (direction)
- 油yóusound-alikeoil
- 游yóusound-aliketo swim
Examples
- 又，。Tā yòu chídào le, lǎoshī hěn bù gāoxìng.He is late again, and the teacher is very unhappy.
- 又又，。Zhège píngguǒ yòu dà yòu hóng, yídìng hěn hǎochī.This apple is both big and red — it must taste great.
- 又，。Wǒ xiǎng qù yòu bù xiǎng qù, zhēn bù zhīdào zěnme bàn.I want to go but then I don't — I really don't know what to do.
Grammar
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