再 vs 还 vs 又 (zài vs hái vs yòu): which 'again' adverb to use
In Mandarin, 再 (zài), 还 (hái), and 又 (yòu) can all correspond to English 'again' or 'more', but they differ fundamentally in tense and intention. 又 is used for repetition that has already happened (actual, past), 再 is used for planned or future repetition (unrealized), and 还 expresses continuation ('still') or additional quantity ('more') rather than direct repetition. Mastering this distinction is crucial for correctly expressing time and intention in Chinese.
The three adverbs 再, 还, and 又 are all used in contexts where English might use 'again' or 'more', but they are not interchangeable. 又 marks repetition that has actually occurred (past or habitual), often with 了. 再 points to repetition that has not yet happened (future, request, plan). 还 is not a direct 'again' word; it conveys 'still' or 'additional' (e.g., 'one more', 'still waiting'). Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning or make a sentence ungrammatical regarding tense.
When to use each
Use 再 for actions that have not yet happened, such as requests, suggestions, or future plans to repeat. It often appears in commands (e.g., 再说一遍 'say it again') or in sequential patterns like 先...再... ('first...then...').
再 can also imply a delayed or conditional action, as in 吃完饭再走 ('finish eating, then leave').
Use 还 to express continuation of a state ('still') or addition of quantity ('more', 'also'). It does not directly mean 'again' for repeating the same action; for that, use 再 (future) or 又 (past).
In patterns like 还要 (hái yào) 'still want more' or 还有一个 (hái yǒu yī gè) 'there is another one', 还 indicates supplementary items, not repetition of an action.
Use 又 when the repetition has already occurred – in the past or as a habitual fact. It commonly appears with 了 to mark completion (e.g., 又下雨了 'it rained again').
又 can also link two simultaneous qualities (又高又大 'tall and big'), but that is a separate structure unrelated to repetition.
At a glance
| 再 | 还 | 又 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the repetition occurs | Future / not yet | N/A (continuation or addition) | Past / already happened |
| Typical context | Requests, future plans, 'first…then…' | Stating something is still ongoing or asking for more | Reporting what happened (often with 了) |
| Can it express 'again' for the same action? | Yes (future/unrealized) | No (use for 'still/more' instead) | Yes (past/realized) |
| Example phrase | 请再说一遍 (say it again, please) | 还要吗? (do you want more?) | 他又来了 (he came again) |
Examples
- 再请再说一遍。Qǐng zài shuō yī biàn.Please say it again.Use 再 because the request is for a future repetition.
- 又他昨天又迟到了。Tā zuótiān yòu chídào le.He was late again yesterday.Use 又 because the repetition happened in the past.
- 还我还要一个面包。Wǒ hái yào yī gè miànbāo.I want one more bread roll.还 here adds quantity ('more'), not repetition of the action.
- 又下次我又来。Xià cì wǒ yòu lái.Next time I come again.✗ Incorrect – 又 should not be used for future repetition; use 再: 下次我再来。
- 还他还在这里。Tā hái zài zhèlǐ.He is still here.还 indicates continuation of a state, not repetition.
- 再先吃饭，再写作业。Xiān chīfàn, zài xiě zuòyè.Eat first, then do homework.再 in a sequential pattern (先…再…).
Common mistakes
- Using 又 for a future repetition: 我明天又去 (should be 我明天再去).
- Using 再 for a past repetition: 他再迟到了 (should be 他又迟到了).
- Using 还 to mean 'again' for a past action: 我还来了 (should be 我又来了).
- Using 又 in a polite request: 请又说一遍 (should be 请再说一遍).
- Confusing 还 with 再 when asking for more of an item: 我要再一个 (should be 我还要一个, unless you mean 'want another one' as a future action, but typically 还 is used for additional items).
FAQ
- When do I use 再 vs 又 vs 还 for 'again'?
- Use 又 if the repetition already happened (past or habitual). Use 再 if the repetition has not yet happened (future, request, plan). 还 does not directly mean 'again' – use it for 'still' or 'more' (additional quantity).
- Can 还 mean 'again'?
- Not in the sense of repeating the same action. 还 expresses continuation (still) or addition (more, also). For example, 还要 means 'still want more', but that is additional quantity, not performing the action again.
- How do I say 'again' in the past?
- Use 又 + verb (+ 了). Example: 他昨天又迟到了 (He was late again yesterday). Do not use 再 or 还 for past repetitions.
- What is the difference between 再 and 又 in questions?
- In questions, 又 is used for past or realized events (e.g., 你又来了吗？'You came again?'), while 再 is used for future requests or plans (e.g., 你再来吗？'Are you coming again?'). The choice depends on whether the repetition has already happened or not.